Campaign group demands immediate release of S. Sudan ex-governor
October 6, 2016 (JUBA) – The campaign group, Amnesty International has called on South Sudanese authorities to either immediately release former Wau state governor, Elias Waya Nyipuoch or charge him in court with a recognizable offense.
Amnesty International said South Sudanese military police entered the former governor’s residence in the Rock City neighbourhood of Juba on 26 June with a letter signed by army chief of general staff, Lt. General Paul Malong ordering his arrest.
He is reportedly being detained at Giyada military barracks in Juba, despite not having been informed about the reasons for his arrest.
Sudan Tribune, last month, reported that Nyipuoch was arrested by South Sudanese military Police on orders of the army chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan, which Amnesty International has now confirmed.
“For more than three months, he [Nyipuoch] has remained in detention at the Giyada military y barracks in the capital Juba without charge or trial,” the group said, while urging authorities to ensure the former governor is allowed to access a lawyer.
It further called for end to arbitrary detention of Nyipuoch at the barracks.
(ST)