In a petition addressed to the President through the Office of Legal Affairs, the Aweil East County Youth Union called for the immediate and unconditional release of several prominent figures from the county, arguing that they have been detained for prolonged periods without due legal process.
“The leadership of Aweil East County Youth Union in Juba respectfully petitions Your Excellency to order the immediate release of the said individuals who hail from Aweil, more especially Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, Garang Majak Bol and Deng Lual Wol,” the petition states.
The youth leaders expressed concern over the continued detention of the former officials, saying their arrests have raised questions about constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and due process.
According to the petition, Dr Bol Mel, the former Vice President for the Economic Cluster and First Deputy Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has remained under house arrest since November 12, 2025.
“Dr Benjamin Bol Mel was relieved of his duties as Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and subsequently placed under house arrest on 12th November 2025 to date, spending more than 200 days without being formally charged, presented before a court of law, or granted bail,” the petition reads.
The youth group also cited the cases of Garang Majak Bol, a former undersecretary in both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum, and Deng Lual Wol, who they say were placed under house arrest in February 2026.
“Hon. Garang Majak Bol and Deng Lual Wol were equally arrested and placed under house arrest on 23rd and 27th February this year, 2026,” the petition states.
The union argued that the continued detention of the former officials without trial contravenes Articles 12 and 14 of the Transitional Constitution, which guarantee the right to personal liberty and require detained persons to be brought before a competent court.
“Therefore, the leadership of Aweil East County Youth Union presents this petition on due process as guaranteed under Articles 12 and 14 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic, which provide the right to personal liberty and require any detained person to be brought before a competent court,” the document says.
The youth leaders urged President Kiir to review the allegations against the detained officials and either release them unconditionally or ensure they are brought before a competent court to answer any charges.
They further appealed to the President to use his ongoing tour of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region as an opportunity to promote national reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness ahead of the country’s anticipated elections.
The petition calls on the Head of State to demonstrate national cohesion by announcing the release of individuals who have been detained for extended periods without trial.
It remains unclear whether President Kiir will respond to the appeal. The President is expected to address a public rally in Aweil Town before concluding his visit to the region and returning to Juba.
