Australian-South Sudanese citizen “tortured” in Lakes state
March 10, 2013 (RUMBEK) – The chairman of the Rumbek Youth Union in Australia, Magang Chol Mathei, has appeal to Lakes state’s leadership to release an Australian citizen who has been arrested and allegedly “tortured” in connection with February’s inter-communal clashes.
Manyang Maker Tulba was arrested in February by Lakes state’s security services, when he was found in house near where the fighting took place, Mathei told Sudan Tribune.
More than 100 young men from the Kok section of the Dinka tribe who were suspected of involvement in the clashes are being held at a military prison in Langcok. The Governor has not allowed relatives, lawyers or human rights officials to visit the military base but there are unconfirmed reports that Manyang Maker Tulba has been badly mistreated while in custody.
Diaspora youth leader Magang Chol Mathei appealed to South Sudanese to write to the Governor asking him to release Manyang Maker Tulba, who he said had been “tortured”.
Lakes state’s new governor has introduced a string of security measures to try and restore peace to the restive state, after a spate of cattle raids led to the sacking of his predecessor Chol Tong Mayay.
However, his tactics have not been popular among some residents who complain they are living under marshal law.
The Governor has banned all alcoholic drinks, apart from at a selection of hotels has restricted freedom of association in public places. Gun owners have also been asked to register their firearms, although no time frame has been announced.
Mathei told Sudan Tribune on Friday that Manyang Maker Tulba was”innocent” and there was “no need for him to be detained and tortured while he was not there where the fighting was occurred”.
He described Manyang Maker Tulba’s condition as “critical”.
“There is no any protection at all. I am concern about his welfare and his future.”
He asked youth leaders in Lakes state to approach Governor Dhoul to ask him to free prisoners who are not involved in the recent insecurity.
Mathei said: “Governor Matur has done very great job by reducing the insecurity in the State that is what we want to let our state to be stable. We the youth of Rumbek in diaspora we are behind to support you 100 percent to end that culture of violence and insecurity within Agar land or across Lakes State and look forward for the betterment of our state.”
(ST)