SPLM-IO accuses government of arresting over 200 people in Bahr el Ghazal

April 13, 2016 (JUBA) – The leadership of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in Bahr el Ghazal region has issued a statement accusing President Salva Kiir’s government of carrying out arbitrary detention and mass arrest of the state citizens in different places.

The opposition’s appointed governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, Akol Madhan Akol, told Sudan Tribune that he has received reports indicating that more than 200 people have been arrested in different places and counties in the area.

“There has been mass arrest and detention of innocent people in the area recently. The reports I have received so far indicate Diing Deng Diing has been arrested in Aweil West County with 27 people on 7th April. He remains under arrest with 27 people. I also received other reports that Makuei Makuei has been arrested in Aweil South County with 8 people. Today (Sunday 10th April, 2016) I received reports of the arrest of John Akuar, Daniel Gar and Chan Maraham with 119 people. This took place in three different places,” SPLM-IO’s governor in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state told Sudan Tribune in an exclusive interview.

“These arrests were made in Bau, Barmayen and Alok [areas] and now those who [are] doing this are still continuing with their operations. They are hunting for other people to be arrested. So far I am told more than 200 have been arrested,” he further alleged.

The leading opposition figure from the area who currently resides in the national capital, Juba, as part of the advance team of the movement, said the arrests of people suspected to be sympathizers of his organization described the development as a clear indication of the government’s determination to derail the peace agreement.

He further charged that such activities and acts show that the government is not committed to implementing the peace agreement.

“The government has a bad faith in peaceful resolution of conflicts in the country and what they are doing now proves that the government has bad intention. They have now militarized Juba once [again] in violation of the security arrangements,” he added.

He called on the international community to work together with the movement to put a bearing pressure on the government and particularly President Salva Kiir to reciprocate in good faith the SPLM-IO’s commitment to peace.

The opposition’s official challenged that the arrested people have not committed any crime, adding they were “peace activists” spreading the message of peace and reconciliation.

If the government was serious about peace, he said, it would have instead welcomed the peace activists and make them peace agents instead of “harassing and arresting them.”

(ST)