South Sudan launches investigation into army after death of “US citizen”

June 20, 2012 (BOR) – South Sudan’s Jonglei State has announced that it is launching an investigation into its armed forces after a man died on Tuesday, allegedly after being tortured while in the custody of the military.

The deceased is reported to be an United States citizen, originally from South Sudan, who had recently returned to the newly-independent nation to get married.

The US Embassy in Juba has not yet confirmed that Mayol Kuch was a US citizen but their public affairs officer, Phaedra Gwyn, is in Bor the capital of Jonglei State.

“As of now, we don’t have his identification,” Gwyn told reporter on Wednesday.

Mayol Kuch died shortly after being released unconscious from a secret cell in the barracks of Division 8 Eagle infantry of South Sudan army, the SPLA in Pan-Pandiar.

Relatives say he was arrested on Saturday after clashes involving section of Adol clan over local chief elections. But Jonglei State authorities say he was mobbed by members of a section of Adol community, which opposed the election result.

Jonglei State Deputy Governor Hussein Maar Nyuot says the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) – South Sudan’s army – will be investigated to establish whether they took part in the circumstances leading to Kuch’s death.

“This is a young man who returned from America to help his community in development,” Maar said of Kuch.

“Serious investigation needs will be taken so that we know who they people who beat-up the young man. Whether this is SPLA or members of the community, definitely the police will follow-up,” said Maar.

Kuch returned from the US in April to marry. He stayed in his village of Pan-Pandiar where there is base a for the SPLA’s eighth division. Kuch resettled in the US state of Texus in 2001, where he is claimed by relatives to have acquired US citizenship.

(ST)