SPLM-IO youth urge government to free media team
April 13, 2016 (KAMPALA) – Members of South Sudan’s armed opposition youth have demanded the unconditional release of its media team arrested in Juba on Tuesday.
A total of 18 people were arrested as they disseminated peace messages, prior to the return of armed opposition leader, Riek Machar to the South Sudan capital next week.
Jal Gatluak Toch, the opposition’s public information officer said the Juba regime wants a military, not political solution to end the conflict that has displaced nearly two million people.
“[By arresting our team], the Juba regime demonstrated categorically, the lack of seriousness to implement the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan,” said Toch.
He accused some individual within the government of allegedly having possible intentions to derail the peace implementation process, ignoring the suffering population.
The South Sudanese army and security agents on Tuesday organising any reception for Gore’s arrival in the capital.
Toch urged the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) mandated to oversee implementation of the peace deal to pressure government into reframing from harmful acts.
“The SPLM youth league would like to commend the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and urge them verify the demilitarisation of Juba city as per the peace deal that stipulated the withdrawal of the army in Juba town to 25km outside residential areas, prior to the arrival of Riek Machar, the first vice president designate,” he said.
A senior official from armed opposition, who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, said diplomats from various countries in Juba were in talks with South Sudan government officials for the release of those detained.
(ST)