S. Sudan rebels to release top government official

February 4, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan government said was in touch with rebels over the release from captivity of its national bureau of statistics chairperson, Isaiah Chol Aruai.

Aruai was taken off a humanitarian plane along with aid workers Jacob Aleer Longar and Mading Akueth on their way to Juba from Panyangor in Jonglei’s Twic East county. Their plane reportedly landed in the rebel-held territory.

“Contacts have been made and the rebels’ leadership has given assurances that comrade Isaiah Chol and his colleagues will be released today [Wednesday],” said South Sudan’s cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro.

Kueth and Longar had accompanied Aruai for the inauguration of Kongor diocese.

Aruai is the current chairperson of the Kongor community living in Juba.

The country’s information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth earlier said rebel leader, Riek Machar and his chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai were contacted on the matter.

Family members and the general public should not panic as efforts are being exerted to secure their release from captivity, Lueth told the state-owned SSTV on Tuesday.

Atem Garang de Kuek, a former government chief whip in the national assembly, queried how a plane on its way to Juba from Panyagor, ended up in a rebel held territory.

The rebels have, however, not publicly reacted to the Twic East incident.

(ST)