Arrests over alleged attack on Lakes state UNMISS building

March 8, 2012 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Yirol West county of Lakes state have arrested 35 youths as a result of their allegedly violent reaction to dispute over the usage of a county building.

Liei said he “instructed police to arrest them”.

The leader of Abang Youth Union (AYU), Adok Ajok Mabor, said that county authorities have arrested members of the union to protect their interests.

The County Commissioner accuses the youths of storming a county building being rented to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“This land, this compound was given to us by former caretaker governor, Telar Ring Deng, as a youth centre […] and now county authority under commissionership of comrade Makur Kulang turned it as the commercial centre to rent it to UNMISS without informing us,” said Ajok.

The AYU secretary general, Awan Majok Apuk, alleged that county authorities are renting out their youth centre to UNMISS without notifying the union.

“We are now arrested and actually we are ready to face court with whoever arrested us,” said Majok.

Commissioner Kulang, confirmed that the county authority is renting the compound to UNMISS for SSDG14,000 (US$5,200) per month.

“This compound was first being rented to Southern Sudan Referendum Commission during the referendum exercises […] now it is being rented to UNMISS. These youths complained that a compound was given to them by the former caretaker governor in 2010, but the present leadership has reclaimed back the land,” said Kulang.

Kulang said that no legal document has been signed by UNMISS regarding the rent.

The Yirol West county court judge, Mathiang Kuac Mathiang, is now carrying out an investigation into the arrests.

Telar Ring Deng, the former caretaker governor of Lakes state was unavailable for comment.

(ST)