The National Ministry of Youth and Sports has warned Youth Associations in Juba and the states to stay away from engaging in political activities.
The warning issued on Tuesday followed an accusation from Awan Youth Union leadership in Juba that Vice President and Chair of Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, had ordered the arrest of Gen. Akot Lual Areech, elder in the Awan Chan community of Warrap State.
Major General Akot Lual Areech, a former special presidential envoy on Pibor affairs was reportedly by National Security forces.
John Mawien Maduok, chairperson of the Awan Chan Youth Union in Juba, claimed in the press statement that Akot Lual was arrested together with his relative Akot Bol Areech, terming the move as politically motivated and unjust.
The youth body then claimed Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel orchestrated the detention, alleging it was retaliation for Akot’s opposition to the deployment of the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan.
“This is not justice; it is a calculated move to silence dissent and pave the way for Bol Mel’s alleged presidential ambitions,” the statement read.
Though the circumstances surrounding the Arrest of General Akot remain unknown, this statement from Awan Chan Youth Union drew a lot of condemnation from the South Sudan National Youth Union, including the Warrap state Youth Union, urging Awan Chan Youth to retract their statement and ‘refrain from matters relating to security and politics.’
In response, National Ministry of Youth and Sports issued a statement warning all youth associations from engaging in all political activities that may incite violence.
“The national Ministry of Youth and Sports has observed an alarming pattern of youth associations being engaged in political strategies contrary to their founding object, which is the pursuit of socio-economic initiatives,” the ministry stated.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports calls on all youth associations to strictly operate within the confines of their relevant constitutive regulations and to adhere to their non-partisan and non-political orientations,” it warned.
It further stated that while the government of South Sudan acknowledges the important role youth play in peacebuilding, unity, and development, this noble national ambition requires the youth’s collective thrust of talent and intellect to approach things positively.
“The Ministry encourages all youth and young people across the country to embrace the sustained government’s appeal to shun division and instead, work for peace, unity, and development of our beloved Republic,” it added.
