Arrest of S. Sudan opposition leader sparks condemnation, threats of unrest

.April 4, 2015 (JUBA) – The arrest in Juba of the opposition leader of the Sudan People’s Liberal Party (PLP), Peter Mayen Majongdit, has sparked serious condemnation and warning of intra-tribal violence by youth in his home state of Warrap.

Majongdit, who hails from Warrap state as president Salva Kiir, was arrested on Thursday in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, by government’s security operatives and his whereabouts remained unknown.

Although no charges are publicly made known for his arrest, sources including his relatives said his recent press statement which criticised the government’s extension of Kiir’s term in office and that of the national legislature for three more years could be the reason.

The opposition leader said the move would undermine the ongoing peace process with the rebel leader Riek Machar in which a transitional government of national unity would be formed to govern the country for two and a half years.

The opposition leader also accused the government of not addressing corruption in the country.

On Friday, the opposition leadership in Juba issued a first statement condemning the arrest and called for his immediate release, but there was no response from the government.

However, youth in Warrap state who hail from the same tribal section as Majongdit on Saturday warned they would put the matter into their own hands against president Kiir’s neighbouring tribal section unless their community leader was released within seven days.

“As you and your official[s] are aware that Majongdit comes from Panjiekdit, the biggest clan in Kuajok [capital] of Warrap state, this move of kidnapping will result into insecurity in Kuajok town of Warrap state because you have forgotten how we the youth of Kuach Ayok did stand with you during a tribal fight against Riak Machar and now you arrest our young leader that we intend to groom for future leadership,” the youth said in a letter addressed to Kiir and extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

The youth described the move to arrest their politician as provocative act by the government.

“We Warrap state youth have prepared this statement directed to president Kiir Mayerdit and his government official and all those behind the kidnapping of opposition leader to release [him],” further reads the statement.

They charged that the world already knew about the corruption in the government of South Sudan and that there was no reason to arrest someone who spoke publicly about it.

“How can a sitting head of state like president continue protecting the 75 most corrupted officials from refunding the public money, this should not be a reason for the corrupted government officials to kidnap the Opposition Leader when they speak out the truth,” said the statement.

They also claimed that the move clearly indicated that the Kiir administration “was moving from a tribal government into a terrorist [government]”.

They also said the arrest was diminishing popularity of the president in his home state.

“But we would like to remind you that you are becoming unpopular in Warrap, especially Kuajok after this kidnapping of the Peter Mayen Majongdit,” the youth told Kiir.

The youth further warned that the arrest of the opposition Majongdit may likely create tensions in Warrap state capital, Kuajok town, between Kuach Ayok clan where Majongdit comes from and Awan Chan Nyal clan of president Kiir.

They urged the president to release their clan politician within seven days in order to avert tensions pitting the two Dinka clans.

(ST)