The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong, has released 16 youth who were detained by Torit law enforcers over dissent.

Aliandro Lotok, the governor’s press secretary, told The City Review on phone from Torit yesterday that the authorities learnt that two of the youth were members of the organised forces. They were handed to their units for disciplinary action. 

“According to the military law, no soldier is allowed to engage in politics when still in the active service,” said Mr Lotok.

At least 10 youth, including a female journalist, were arrested by security officers in Kapeota last week Wednesday after they rejected the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Toposa Community Association, who had been impeached.

The conflict arose between the local youth and the state governor during a local election in the area. Those arrested included Martin Ngoya Yaba, Amos Lokai, Francis Lorem, Nicodemus Namecha, John Lotede, Mugabe Echom, Regan Eiko Meri, Abel lopir, and Mantogo Paul.

According to Lotok, the youths were charged with causing instability in Kapeota, breaking the National Taskforce’s new COVID-19 regulations, and engaging in illegal meetings without permission from the authorities responsible.

Two of them are police officers who are now involved in politics in violation of the law, while others are NGO employees who are involved in political activities in the state, which he claims defies regulations of the humanitarian agencies.

“These activities endanger the lives of the residents of Kapoeta,” he noted.

Counsel Amos Lokai, who spoke on behalf of the youth, expressed regret to the government for the errors they had made.

According to Lokai, the groups admitted their wrongdoings and have asked the State government to forgive them.

Governor Louis Lobong Lojore issued a warning to the youth, urging them not to sow seeds of dissension and hatred in the community. He encouraged them to air their issues through proper means.