Civil society activist, Ter Manyang Gatwech, has condemned what he described as arbitrary arrest of critics in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, urging the governor to respect the 8th Governors Forum’s call for full adherence to human rights.
In an interview with the Standard Zone News on Monday, Manyang, who heads the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) argued that citizens have the right to voice their concerns on important issues affecting them at the state level.
“The governor himself is a public figure; he is subject to criticism if he is not doing the right thing in the state. So, the citizens have the right to express themselves on issues affecting them. For me, as an activist, I condemn this move,” Manyang said.
He also referenced the 8th Governors’ Forum resolutions from last year, which required governors to respect human rights.
“I am just wondering how the state governor, who was part of those resolutions, is trying to intimidate and arrest members who are expressing their opinions,” he added.
The activist’s condemnation follows a growing outcry from state critics and citizens in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state who have accused the Governor, Simon Ober Mawut, of ruling the state with an iron fist, characterized by arbitrary arrests and suppression of dissenting voices.
Among those voicing their concerns over the arbitrary arrests are Angelo Akuoc and Dut Kuot Akook.
Akuoc claimed that he was arrested last month and taken to Mathiang Military Barrack, where he spent two days before being released without charges.
He further claimed that his arrest occurred after he pointed out some loopholes in the administration of Governor Simon Ober.
Mr. Dut Kuot Akook told this publication over the weekend, he is still in a legal battle with Governor Simon Ober over a defamation case.
Kuot claimed that he was arrested this year by the state National Security Services and detained for 26 days without bail on an allegation of defaming the state Governor.
But he insisted that his writing was constructive and based on pressing issues, and was misunderstood, leading to arbitrary arrest.
“But in the end, as I analyze it, the reason why I was arrested is to silence me. But the channel that they have chosen is to do it forcefully. They have arrested me, and it appears to be a defamation case,” Kuot said.
He stated that a defamation case can be started at the police station level by opening the case, conducting an investigation, being granted bail, and then proceeding with the court hearing.
“But that didn’t happen. I was arrested and then taken directly to the state’s national security facilities. I spent twenty-six days without any investigation. After that, I was transferred to the police station when the case was opened in the name of defamation against the personality of the governor,” he added.
In response to this, the deputy press secretary in the office of the Governor, Garang Makuei, recently defended the governor, urging the critics to take a constructive approach when expressing their views.
“They should find the right way to address their concerns. They should not just pour accusations without evidence. If they believe the governor has failed in certain areas, they should say that the governor has failed here and there. That is constructive criticism,” Makuei said.
“This is a lie; those who said that [the governor is arresting citizens] are groups bribed by the former regime to fight the current regime. This is what is going on in the state,” he added.
