Lakes: Yirol West youth blame government for leader’s death

July 22, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Youths from Lake state’s Yirol West county have appealed to fellow residents from the region to withdraw from their positions in the state government under military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol following the alleged murder of an influential local youth leader.

Wilson Anhiem Jok was allegedly murdered by a group of unknown assailants between Kharic and Akot payam (district) in Rumbek East county on 17 June.

Jok, who was serving in Yirol West county, had previously been arrested and detained by state authorities.

Mabor Ikau from Yirol West said that the “greater youth have called for their sons and daughters working in [the] Rumbek government to withdraw and come back to Yirol”.

Jok was the former office manager of former county commissioner Dairdit Bol and was currently working as a as county supervisor for international development agency BRAC.

Ikau said that Jok was attacked while travelling by motorbike in the early hours of Thursday morning and dragged into the bushes and killed.

He said Jok’s body had been cut into pieces by his assassins, with his remains later discovered on Saturday.

There are growing calls across Lakes state for Dhuol’s removal amid ongoing instability and inter-clan violence. However, president Salva Kiir has so far ignored public demands.

Moses Majok, an activist operating in Lakes state, described Jok’s death as unlawful and accused the state government of involvement.

“This imposed governor must be answerable for the death of [the] Yirol youth leader. This is not a normal death, [the] government is having [an] invisible hand [in his death] and this state government should stand tall to answer their mistakes,” said Majok.

The Lakes state administration has become increasingly isolated in recent months due to its harsh restrictions on freedom of expression, as well as its decision to cut employee salaries and slash student and medical funds.

Dhuol was appointed last January by presidential decree after Kiir removed his elected predecessor Chol Tong Mayay. No official reason was given for the decision, although it was thought to be in response to ongoing unrest in the state.

(ST)