S. Sudan security agents surround opposition leader’s house
April 24, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese security agents surrounded the home of the country’s main opposition leader on Thursday, raising fears among his supporters.
Unaware of what prompted the surprise move, Akol admitted he has been critical of the way government was handling the ongoing conflict amidst the rising costs of living.
The leader of the minority parliament, Onyoti Adigo said the deployment of security forces started at about 9pm (local time) as all roads leading to Akol’s house were blocked.
“They (security agents) surrounded the house before blocking all roads leading to the house, denying the people visiting any opportunity to interact with Dr. Lam Akol,” Adigo told Sudan Tribune on Friday.
Deng Bior, the secretary-general of the country’s main opposition party, also expressed concern over the manner in which Akol was being treated.
“The house of the SPLM-DC chairman and chairman of South Sudan national alliance, Dr Lam Akol Ajawin, has just been besieged by government security forces,” Bior said in a separate interview from the capital, Juba.
“My contact with him indicates that his situation is not normal from his voice. We are worried indeed,” he added.
South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, said Akol had not been arrested.
“If we want to arrest him, we can do that and it will take us no time to take him to prison. No forces have been deployed around his house. These are his usual claims,” Lueth told reporters on Friday.
However, it remains unclear why security agents besieged the opposition leader’s house and the Juba government is yet to officially issue a statement on the matter.
Akol’s claim of being placed under house arrest comes after he sharply criticised the government’s decision to allocate some 120 million South Sudanese pounds (SSP) to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the country’s independence and instead suggested that such huge amounts of money be dedicated towards development projects.
Security services in the world’s youngest nation are under direct control of the president whose office avoided making comments to the media on Akol’s situation.
(ST)