Families of detained MPs in Lakes state call for their release
July 2, 2015 (RUMBEK) – Families of two members of parliament (MPs) in South Sudan’s Lakes state, have called on the government to release their loved ones, whom they said were in detention for 8 months without charges or trial.
Marik Nanga Marik and Isaac Makur Buoc Apac were detained since 24 October 2014. The two state MPs were arrested by Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, General Matur Chut Dhuol, without charges and have since been in detention in Yirol East county in secret cell where their families are not allowed to visit them.
“It is now 8 months without communication with my husband,” said Teresa Nyanawan Ayom.
“I need my husband released. There are no charges and no family allowed to visit them. What is this? If they are dead in cell then the family has to be informed,” she told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
Formers speaker of the state parliament, Baipath Majuec Rilpuou, said that state government had deaf hear over the case of the two MPs. He revealed that he had complained enough to the Council of States and National Legislative Assembly in Juba as well as state government but no response so far.
“I have spoken enough and I complained officially in writing to top offices in Juba. I also did the same to state government and no proper reply. I am sure two [the] MPs are staying in cell without charges and that is the fact shaming [the] government,” he said.
The newly elected speaker, Dhieu wal Takpiny, also said that he will do his best to approach the caretaker governor Dhuol to negotiate the release of two MPs to reunite with their families after now 8 months without seeing their families.
“I will approach governor to release these two MPs. Yes it is frustrating process but we have to bear with it till we will secure their release,” he told Sudan Tribune.
The detained MPs Marik Nanga Marik and Isaac Makur Buoc Apac, respectively represent Rumbek East and Rumbek North counties in the Lakes state’s legislative assembly. The state has been ruined with inter-communal conflicts with deadly fighting pitting rival clans from the Dinka ethnic group which inhabits the state.
(ST)