![Aerial view of Mayom town. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/download.png?resize=850%2C477&quality=80&ssl=1)
The first source told Sudans Post on condition of anonymity from the state capital Bentiu that the commissioner had detained Bieh Nyang Payam administrator Malith Malual Jiech at the beginning of January for allegedly allowing more than 100 civilians to cross to Warrap state with their cattle.
“It all began in the beginning of January when more than 100 youth crossed to Warrap State with their cows through Bieh Nyang and this angered the commissioner who then summoned him and arrested him. He accused him of encouraging civilians to leave the county for Warrap state,” said the source.
The source said that the detained local government official stated in one of interrogations by the commissioner that the youth who crossed to Warrap state with their cattle came from many Payams of Mayom County and that he had no legal authority to deny them passage.
The commissioner – the source narrated – then summon the remaining 11 Payam administrators and held them in Mankien for at least two days before eventually releasing them while investigation with Bieh administrator continue.
“General Bol summoned the rest of the administrators and asked them if they know anyone or related to anyone from those who crossed to Warrap state. He kept them for two days in Mankien and eventually allowed them to return to their units, but the Malith is still being detained,” the source said.
Another source claimed that the local government official is detained in relation to a 2022 incident in which an army convoy was attacked near Bieh Payam by rebel soldiers belonging to South Sudan People’s Movement of General Stephen Buay Rolnyang.
Sudans Post could not immediately verify this claim as other sources refuse to speak for fear of reprisal.
When asked for comment, General Buay said he had information that the commissioner had detained the Payam administrators in Mankien over the alleged mass exodus of civilians who he said are leaving the area due to lack of security the local government cannot provide and called one the government to protect freedom of movement.
“Bul are faced with high level of insecurity mainly caused by local rogue militias who intimidate, mistreat, and accuse Bul Nuer of harboring the SSPA in the area with orders from governor Nguen Manytuil and national security advisor Hon. Tut Gatluak,” he told Sudans Post when asked for comment.
He said that since the commissioner cannot address insecurity, then “we advise him to allow Bul people to go wherever they want to go to look for greener pastures and come back when situations return to normalcy.”
