Relatives renew calls for release of two MPs detained in Rumbek

January 22, 2015 (RUMBEK) – Relatives of two MPs arrested in Lakes state capital Rumbek have renewed calls for their immediate release.

Nanga Marik and Isaac Makur Buoc Apac, who were representing Rumbek North and Rumbek East counties respectively, have been in custody sine their arrest on 24 October 2014 in Yirol East county.

The two men are being held without charge reportedly under the orders of Lakes state military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol.

Marik’s wife, Nyanawan Marik, has described their detention as unlawful and urged both state authorities and the central government to take steps to secure the release her husband.

She said that immediate families members had had no access to her husband since last October.

“This detention is completely unlawful,” she said.

“We are not sure whether he is alive or dead because we cannot say that since no communication [has been] allow[ed] between us and Nanga,” she added.

Nyanawan Marik said her family was now facing severe financial hardship after Dhuol suspended payment of the MPs’ salaries.

Dhuol has instructed his finance minister in December last year to withhold the salaries of the two detained lawmakers detained.

At the time, parliamentary speaker Baipath Majuec Relpuou described the governor’s directive as “an extra violation of the constitution”.

The Council of the States, which is the upper house of the national parliament, has since broken its silence on the matter, questioning why the two MPs were still being held without charge.

Addressing a press conference in the nation’s capital, Juba, the council’s representative for Lakes state, James Magok Ater, said the house is questioning the procedures that led to the arrest of the MPs.

“Up to now, the charges have not yet actually been given to the speaker of the state legislative assembly, so one can say it is a total violation of the constitution because to arrest an MP, you have to request the lifting of immunity from the speaker, and after that you arrest them or any of them,” Ater said.

Lakes state activists and lawmakers have continued to call on president Salva Kiir to relieve the governor, but so far the demands have been overlooked.

Dhuol was appointed in January 2013 after elected governor Chol Tong Mayay was removed by presidential decree.

(ST)