Three youth defectors released by SPLA forces in Yambio

February 16, 2016 (YAMBIO) – Three youth who were arbitrarily arrested during recent clashes between armed youth and South Sudan army (SPLA) have been released by the army’s sixth division headquarters inYambio county.

Some of the youth had been accused of defecting to the bush and as a result the security organs and SPLA resorted to arrest their counterparts in Yambio town, whether they were part of the armed youth groups or not.

The commissioner of Yambio county, Hussein Enocka, confirmed receiving those accused of having defected from the armed group in the bush.

“It is true that, yesterday I received three youth from SPLA who have been accused of being among the armed youth in Yambio county,” he said.

The commissioner said he held a meeting with county officials to resolve any misunderstanding between the armed youth and the SPLA in the area.

Yambio county authorities have reportedly designed a form to be filled by the youth who are coming back home but to come first to see the Commissioner to fill the form and the youth will later be taken to the security organs for clearance not to be arrested again.

This, Enocka said, is being done in line with the amnesty given by the President Salva Kiir to all armed groups in South Sudan to promote peace.

Meanwhile, the three youth were allowed to make testimonies on Yambio FM, but avoided mention of whether they were tortured while in detention, despite the evidence.

(ST)