Wunlit chief arrested in South Sudan’s Warrap state
April 17, 2013 (JUBA) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Tonj East County of Warrap state, have arrested Chief Gum Madingone of longest serving chiefs in South Sudan, generating anger among the local community, as officials on Wednesday sought to establish the cause of the incident.
His arrest comes weeks after eight people were arrested on suspicion of raiding cattle from neigbouring Cueibet county of Lakes state. The area’s commissioner, Madhol Chol, denied that the chiefs arrest was related to cattle raiding but did not give an alternative reason for his arrest.
“Yes, he has been arrested but it is not related to the cattle raiding. The reason for the arrest will be established by the investigator. Police are doing their work”, Commissioner Chol told Sudan Tribune from Romic, the area’s administrative headquarters.
Family members and relatives say the chief has been thrown into the prison instead of police custody, where suspects are kept while investigation takes place.
“Until now, we still do not know why the chief has been arrested and it is surprising that he been taken to the prison as if he has been condemned”, Deng Madut, a native of Warrap state who comes from the area told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday from Kuacjok, the state capital.
Madut argued that the arrest of the chief, without following due process, contravenes some provisions in the transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan and the Local Government Act, which grants chiefs and officials immunity from prosecution.
“He also has the right to be informed of why he is arrested. This is clear in the constitution. Article 19 (2) states that any person who is arrested shall be informed at the time of arrest of the reason of his or her arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him or her. This has not happened and which is why a lot of people are concerned”, Madut explained.
Wek Mamer, a deputy cabinet affairs minister who hails from the area, could not confirm the incident when contacted on Wednesday, saying he was engaged.
Sudan Tribune has not able to independently verify reports from multiple contacts and sources familiar with circumstances that led to arrest of the powerful chief.
Mathou Deng, a member of parliament representing the area at the state level, confirmed the arrest, but said he still needed more information from area police authorities.
(ST)