Police arrest N. Bahr el Ghazal advisor, journalist

March 27, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese military police have arrested and detained an advisor to the caretaker governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state and a journalist working with the state-owned SSTV, relatives and officials told Sudan Tribune Friday.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal’s caretaker governor, Kuel Aguer Kuel confirmed the arrest of his advisor, Yel Deng Nguel and Michael Christopher from Juba on Tuesday.

“They have thrown him [Nguel] to the deep pit at military barrack here in Juba and they also arrested journalist Michael Christopher for interviewing me on SSTV,” said Kuel.

The journalist was arrested in connection with the interview aired on SSTV Monday.

Kuel replaced Gen. Paul Malong Awan, the current army chief last year, was impeached by state legislators in January while on a visit to Juba. He has since not returned to the state.

Lawmakers accused the caretaker governor of embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and favoritism, charges he denies.

President Salva Kiir had earlier appointed a committee headed by Daniel Awet Akot, the former deputy speaker of the national assembly to look in to the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state grievances.

The committee presented its findings to Kiir in February, but the latter was yet to act on it.

(ST)