Lakes state threatens to “crucify” critical journalists and activists
April 23, 2013 (RUMBEK) – “Those who are writing negatively about this state government will be crucified like Jesus Christ if we capture them”, Lakes state’s deputy governor, Mabor Achol Kuer, said on Sunday.
Many citizens have complained about Dhuol’s tough stance on security issues, accusing him of implementing martial law and holding young men without charge in secret military prisons without access to lawyers or their families.
Dhuol’s critics have also pointed out that under South Sudan’s interim constitution an election should have been held 60 days after the caretaker governor appointed. This deadline passed on 21 March and no plans have been announced to hold an election before the 2015 national elections to the disappointment of some activists.
Speaking during welcoming dinner organised by newly-appointed Director General of the state;s Ministry of Finance, Trade and Industry, Mabor Achol Kuer said: “those who are writing negatively about this state government will be crucified like Jesus Christ if we capture them.”
The dinner was attended by most of the ministers and Director Generals for thank given appointed by the caretaker Governor in his recent reshuffle of the state executive.
Referring to the many critical articles and blogs that the governor’s policies have triggered online the deputy governor warned that those who continues to write negatively: “We will catch you and crucify you on wood. It is better for you to cooperate to save yourself”.
The most recent incident to draw the criticism of activists was Governor Dhuol’s first cabinet, which failed to meet the SPLM’s ambitious target of having 35% of government positions taken up by women.
Governor Dhuol, has also imposed a recess on the Lakes State parliament. In opposition to the failure to hold Gubernatorial election after 60 days of Dhuol’s appointment many lawmakers boycotted the swearing in ceremony of the new cabinet and other officials.
In February Dhuol ordered the mass arrest of all young men suspected of taking part in recent violence between pastoralist groups in Rumbek East county, with unconfirmed reports that those being held were being ill-treated at various military prisons.
On 20 April 12 of young men, managed to escape from Langcok military prison and appeared to verify the reports, telling Sudan Tribune that the suspects were being tortured and denied water while in detention.
“We are human beings and we deserve to be respected, we voted for them to be in power. Not everyone arrested in Langcok military prison had committed crime, [the] majority [of them] are innocent,” one of the escapees, who wished to remain anonymous told Sudan Tribune by phone on Saturday.
The escapee said that there was no indication that was any intention to bring the men being held to court to defend themselves, adding that he witnessed people being beaten on a daily basis.
Since the breakout there have been reports that the police and security services have started harassing the families of the men who escaped.
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
The appointment of Lakes State’s new minister of Culture, Youth and Sport has proven far less controversial, with Madong William Mading being widely welcomed across the community.
On Monday the Mading said that would try and use culture and sport to stop insecurity across the state. Sporting activities, he said are a friendly forum than can bring together the three main ethic groups of Lakes state.
“Sporting competition and cultural activities will promote peace in the state. We will bring entire three ethnic groups of Lakes state to compel for peace through sports”, he said.
Focusing on cultural activities was the best way to restore peace among the Jur-Beli, Dinka (Jieng) and Dinka Atuot (Atuot Reel) of Rumbek he said.
(ST)