Calls for Lakes state MPs to face court or be released

March 25, 2015 (RUMBEK) – The families of two Lake state MPs detained for more than five months have renewed calls for their release.

Marik Nanga Marik and Isaac Makur Buoc, who represent Rumbek North and Rumbek East counties respectively, have been detained without charge since their arrest on 4 October 2014.

“I have pushed [on] all doors for [the] release of my husband but [it is] hard to get [a] solution,” said Marik’s wife, Nyanwan Nanga.

The state parliamentary speaker and members of council have described the MPs’ prolonged detention as unconstitutional, with both houses calling for their release without any precondition.

Nanga said she had repeatedly made representation to both the national and state governments on her husband’s behalf, but all efforts had fallen on deaf ears.

She said she was still in the dark about the motives for the MPs’ arrest and questioned whether the president and state administration had a hidden agenda.

“I need to know what crime has my husband committed? I need [to know] what type of judgement is done. I have not communicated with him for [a] long [time] since October and [the] entire family is thirsty to talk to their father and to know his life status,” she said.

Lakes state caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol has continued to maintain his silence over the MPs’ prolonged detention.

(ST)