Jonglei Civil Society leader arrested in Bor

By Manyuon Mayen Manyuon, Juba  

The Chairperson of the Jonglei State Civil Society Network has been arrested by security organs in Bor town for allegedly questioning the sale of President Kiir’s donated food aid meant for flood affected victims.

Mr. David Garang Goch had recently said that he saw some of the food aid being uploaded from trucks to the shops where they get sold.

Jonglei activists and residents had also earlier this week accused the State officials of stealing food assistance donated by the President in April for floods sufferers.

This later resulted to summon of Mr. Garang on May 5, before he was arrested on 6, 2021.

Ngang Philip Malek, the Network’s Finance Manager confirmed to Juba Echo on Thursday evening that his Boss was first detained and later arrested by the National Security unit in Bor.

“The Chairperson has been arrested this evening [Thursday]. He was arrested by the National Security and they transferred him to the Police,” he confirmed.

According to Malek, Mr. Garang is currently being held at Police custody in Bor Town without factual charges leveled against him.

“There are no charges yet. He has not been allowed to speak to us. We have not seen him, we went to the Police twice and they are refusing the Chairperson to meet with us,” he narrated.  

Malek argued that the arrest of the Chair is a serious setback to the freedom of expression entailed in the Constitution

“It is a setback, so unfortunate and it is an intimidation of the freedom of expression,” he stated.

“What was being expressed by the Chairperson is the public outcry that the food is being sold, and the evidences are visible in the market,” he revealed.

He wondered why the government didn’t arrest or investigate those responsible for selling the food; instead of Mr. Chair.

“We demand to know who is behind the arrest, if it is the National Security then they have to come up with clear charges. Secondly, we are demanding the immediate release of the Chairperson right away from today May 7,” he concluded.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Mayen Akoon, the Jonglei State Police Commissioner confirmed the arrest but later hesitated to give full insights.

Attempts to reach him further were not immediate successful as he couldn’t pick up many attempted calls afterward.  

In 2020, Transparency International ranked South Sudan the second most corrupt country in the World, according to a shared report.

The corruption Perceptions Index ranked 180 countries and territories for their levels of public-sector corruption.

It was drawn from 13 experts’ assessments and surveys of business executives.