S. Sudan security re-arrests ex-governor of W. Equatoria
December 23, 2015 (JUBA) – Former governor of Western Equatoria state, Joseph Bagashi Bakasoro, is arrested again, sources said on Wednesday.
“His family was informed in the evening (Tuesday) to provide him more cloths in the detention,” said a family friend, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Bakasoro was removed in August by President Salva Kiir with the governors of Central Equatorai (Clement Wani), Warrap (Nyadeng Malek) and Upper Nile (Simon Kun Poch) states.
The other three governors were not detained but Bakasoro was detained for several days immediately after his sacking. Following his release, he said he had being detained for investigation on false accusations made against him. But he refused to provide more detail.
The family friend told Sudan Tribune that Bakasoro’s passport remained with the security since August and he has been denied travelling outside Juba.
In November, Bakasoro wrote on his Facebook page, that he could not attend his graduation ceremony in Kampala, due to what he called “circumstances beyond his control.” The post indicated that his trips have been curtailed by authorities.
Another source said Bakasoro is suspected of being linked to the armed Arrow Boys who clashed several times with SPLA soldiers in Western Equatoria state. His former minister of information, Charles Kasangi, has since declared himself the leader of the Arrow boys and pledged alliance to the SPLM-In-Opposition led by former vice-president Riek Machar.
Machar signed a peace agreement with the government in August and his advance team arrived to Juba on Monday, in a step described as positive to ending the war by experts.
It is not clear if the armed groups in Western Equatoria will also put down their guns and respect the permanent ceasefire.
Following a cabinet’s meeting last week, Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth said that the government does not recognize any new rebellion as being loyal to Machar. He threatened a full military crackdown on the groups unless they lay down their guns.
(ST)