Relatives of detained Lakes state MPs call for their release
October 28, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The families of two MPs arrested in South Sudan’s arrested in Lakes State are demanding justice for their relatives.
The two MPs are reportedly accused of providing support to pastoralist youth since clashes with armed forces in Rumbek North county on Thursday.
Their families have condemned their arrest, saying they should either be charged or released.
Marik’s wife, Tersa Nyanawaan Ayoom, says the family has been left without a provider and is concerned for his safety.
“I am crying since three days; I am crying and I do not know where my husband is. I myself I cannot say my husband is alive because I don’t where about him. I do not talk to him, even his sound is not heard,” she said.
“Bring my husband back so to relieve my heart and have rest,” she added.
Ayoom says she lasts aw her husband at the police station, but when she returned early the following day she was informed he had been taken to an undisclosed location.
She says she went to Ayat and langkok military prison in an attempt to find her husband, but has so far been unable to determine his whereabouts.
Buoc’s wife, Ayor Paul, has also expressed concern, telling UN Radio Miraya that, “My husband has been arrested and we do not know where he is taken now. My husband should be brought to the police station, also given warrant of arrest so that relatives know the reasons … instead of running away with him to [an] unknown location”.
She said the circumstances of the MPs’ arrest was causing extreme confusion and distress for their families and has called on the state government to provide a public explanation.
Meanwhile, a security officer on the ground in Yirol East county, told Sudan Tribune by telephone on Sunday said that Dhuol had instructed agents to isolate the two MPs from their families and the media.
The MPs’ arrest provoked more than 20 MPs to walk from state parliament to Lakes state police station to demand their release.
State and national lawmakers also held joint discussions on the case over the weekend in Lakes state capital Rumbek.
On Saturday, two traditional chiefs were killed by unknown gunmen in Rumbek East county.
Authorities said the incident, which occurred in Ayen Mayar village, involved executive chief Mamer Keer Malok and sub-chief Yuol Janglei Marol as they travelled to Rumbek Central county.
Meanwhile, clashes between pastoralist youth from Rumbek North county and joint security forces continued in Malek, Aguoc and around Rumbek Central county on Saturday, state officials said, with the death toll rising from 59 to 72.
President Salva Kiir has urged lawmakers to address the ongoing violence.
However, MPs insist the atmosphere remains unconducive for them to hold talks with their supporters due to Dhuol’s harsh security measure reforms, which they blame for turning pastoralists against the state administration.
In recent months, the police and members of the public have been at loggerheads, amid claims that the various communities have become increasingly disobedient towards state law enforcement agents.
Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for Dhuol’s removal over claims of failure to control violence, but Kiir has ignored such calls.
Lakes state has been blighted by ongoing cattle raiding since South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 and continues to be locked in a deadly cycle of inter-clan revenge clashes.
Dhuol was appointed caretaker governor by president Kiir in January 2013 replacing elected Governor Chol Tong Mayay
(ST)