W. Equatoria is likely to see harsher crackdown and intimidation
March 25, 2010 (YAMBIO) – The apparent arrest of Independent candidate Supporters in Western Equatoria, there are fears that, state authorities may intensify the crackdown on the Independents in the next few weeks prior to elections.
Two months after a rigged nomination process wherein some candidates were hastily confirmed contenders; the resistance has not disappeared despite, beatings, and hundreds of detentions, imprisonment, and gross campaign irregularities.
At every given opportunity, there are determinations and protest actions calling for change and even challenging the rule of SPLM politburo which crowned the existing SPLM official candidates.
There is an even deeper division among SPLM members, with more openly criticizing the crackdown and intimidation on protesters and others calling for a reform to save the system of the People’s party.
Despite what the southern Sudan President said when he was in Yambio and Tambura that there should be fair and free elections and nobody should be arrested, there have been massive arrest of people believed to be supporters of independent candidates.
According to orders from the president, no body (politically affiliated) is supposed to be arrested unless with orders from Juba.
In Press Release from the campaign team of Bakosoro, Mr. Gimi James Waraga was arrested last Thursday for campaigning for Mr. Bakosoro.
The Press Release also reported that the security personnel (PS) have ordered him to take out his clothes and not be given any food. We are worried about the live of Mr. Waraga because anything can happen to him anytime.
The press release confirmed the arrest 17 supporters (3 female and 14 males) and agents of both Adel Sandrai (independent candidate in Maridi) and Mr. Bakosoro are reported to have been arrested.
In another development, supporters of Mr. Adel Sandrai in Maridi reported that T-shirts with the photo of Mr. Adel were burnt down near Sug Ammal and more than 70 Bakosoro posters were confiscated on Friday by JIU soldiers. Maridi seems to be the centre of intimidation in WES. Mr. Adel said; “we are used to intimidation and we are living with it here in Maridi. There is no other place in the South where people are intimidated and being threatened like in Maridi”
However reliable sources told Sudan Tribune about the release of the detained people, after spending one night with the security forces
In Yambio one of Bakosoro driver who was arrested in Maridi last week has been transferred to Yambio and is said to be still under arrest in the SPLA military barracks in Yambio.
The case of James Waraga was reported to NEC last week.
W. Equatoria Independent candidates have appealed to the international community, UNMIS (human rights division) and other observers for the immediate release of all those who are arrested.
In related news, civilians were intimidated in Tambura County as President Kiir, who also doubles as presidential candidate was campaigning in the region. The beatings in Tambura included the wife of Mr. Bangbito, how is the chairperson of NEC in the county.
Eye witness told Sudan Tribune that, during the beatings in Tambura, security forces targeted anybody with links to Col Joseph Bakosoro.
However, political analysts in the region say, despite the intimidation, Independents are gaining more support and popularity among the registered voters.
(ST)
Dinka Dominated SPLA
W. Equatoria is likely to see a harsher crackdown and intimidation
these accusation are lame because nobody fro m the SPLA have done that, this are the crying of those looser who feel that they are going to lose in election sham on them.
thieleling
W. Equatoria is likely to see harsher crackdown and intimidation
Dear Readers,
This pre-rigged election is the hallmark of violence post-election in south sudan. The SPLA’s security forces are planting mutual mistrust and hatred among the south sudan populace by cracking the independent supporters down. Kiir’s filp-floped in NB yesterday, while his security forces are carrying intimidations election harrassments in WES with his full knowledge.
The populations need to wake up and see the violence scenarios awaiting them after April 13, 2010. The post-election will ignite scenarios where carrying out Referendum in January 2011 peacefully would be deemed impossible. Oh, Gosh!! Lack of knowledge/Self-awareness is killing my people along with their aspiration of Independence.
babadit
W. Equatoria is likely to see harsher crackdown and intimidation
Look at these Barbarians in WES who kept on beating people campaigning for opposition independent candidates. where will you go if he manage to come to power as the state governor?
shame on you SPLM who don’t have profesional ethics and lack election code of conducts, fools like Dinkas wants to spoils peace in Equatoria go back to your lorsy homelands with nothings to eat or drinks
Simpleman
W. Equatoria is likely to see harsher crackdown and intimidation
Bokosoro don’t give up, you’re taking the steps of Nelson Mandela of South Africa to relive the people of WES from suffering at the hands of the current Governor, like Israel from the hands of Egyptian king Pharos. Bear in your mind that always good leader has to come out through tick and thin.
There you go, but put Jesus first because with him nothing is hard.
Luate the Great is for Justices
Time1
W. Equatoria is likely to see harsher crackdown and intimidation
“W. Equatoria is likely to see” ……
Is this a suggestion or just mare blind prediction?