The members of the South Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) who were detained in Jonglei were finally released on bail, Jonglei Acting Police Commissioner Brig. Chol Achiek told the City Review.  

Last week, reports from Jonglei State capital confirmed that at least 38 politicians had been arrested in what seemed to be an escalating leadership crisis.

But Brig. Achiek issued a contrary report saying there were only three officials that were arrested and detained by the police in Jonglei State.

He said the three officials wrote a petition against the Jonglei State Deputy governor and also included Ateny Pich’s name without his consent, forcing the later to open case against the three.

“What happened was that two days back, there was a person called Ateny Pich who opened cases against three officials who included his name in a petition taken to president’s office against Jonglei state deputy governor Antipas without his notes,” Brig. Achiek stated.

“He went ahead and opened case against them. And, after opening the case, he was issued with warrant of arrest for those three officials. Police arrested and investigated them and handed them over to the Antony General [who] referred the case to the court and[and they are currently waiting] for the judge from Juba to try them.

“Currently, the three were released on bail, but as police we do not have authority to keep them more than 24 hours,” he added.  

Petition prepared

Those arrested include the former Bor County Commissioner Isaac Mamer Ruk, the former RRC director Gabrial Deng Ajak and Anyek Makuei.

Leaders such as former Bor county commissioner Isaac Mamer Ruk, former gender minister Rachel Amuor Paach and the former RRC director Gabrial Deng Ajak confirmed the incident which they was political motivated.

But the deputy governor’s press unit has dismissed the allegations.

The arrest came after the deputy governor, who fired Bor town mayor last week but later reinstated by the governor, had a rough relationship with other leaders among them the governor.

They were arrested after governor Denay travelled to Juba to attend to non-oil revenue conference that was organised by National Revenue Authority (NRA).

Suspects are reported to have spent days in Bor town police station cell.