Aweil – A Civil society Organization in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday called for the unconditional and immediate release of Dut Kuot Akok, a government critic and activist based in Aweil.
Mr. Kuot was detained by the National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau (ISB) on January 20 over his criticism of the state governor Simon Ober Mawut.
In a Facebook post, Akok attacked Simon Ober Mawut, the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, for not delivering in his first half-year in office.
Speaking to Sudans Post in an interview on Thursday, Chairperson of Civil Society Organization, Bullis Nguak, encouraged the state administration to either free the arrested youth or arraign him in court if there is a case against him
“We are appealing for the release of a young man called Dut who is being detained by the governor. It would be imperative if he were taken before the court to defend himself. All allegations labelled against him are null and void” said Nguak.
Nyuak underlined how crucial it is to follow the law and make sure Dut Kuot’s rights are respected.
“It kills the freedom of speech if the citizens are not given space to express their views. It does not allow the citizens to let the views be known. What the governor regards as a defamation could be justified through the court of law,” he said.
A vocal activist from Aweil encouraged the governor to follow the law, stating that detainees must be brought before a court within 24 hours according to the nation’s legal structure.
