JUBA — South Sudan’s Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) on Thursday called on authorities of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to immediately release three detained leaders of the Civil Society Network.
The National Security Service (NSS) on Thursday morning reportedly detained three members of the Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State Civil Society Network.
They include the Chairperson, Bulis Nguak; Secretary General Maria Angelo; and Treasurer Deng Teng Achien.
The arrests are reportedly linked to a petition submitted to State Governor Simon Uber Mawut last month, demanding the release of detained activist Dut Kuot Akok.
Speaking to Sudans Post in an interview on Thursday, Daniel Laat Kon, State Coordinator of CEPO, denounced what he termed the “unlawful detention” of the group.
“We have learned that the Chairperson of CSOs, Mr. Bulis Nguak Deng, with his Secretary General Maria Angelo and Secretary of Finance, Mr. Deng Teng Achien, are being held in the National Security office in Ghabat, Awiel Town,” said Laat.
According to Laat, the leaders’ unwillingness to turn over the office stamp and other paperwork, such as the constitution, bank account, and letterhead, led to their arrest.
“The state leadership and NSS don’t have rights to interfere in the affairs of CSOs; any misunderstanding within the CSO network can be addressed by themselves using their legal framework (Constitution) that governs their process,” he said.
He said the detention of network’s leadership constitutes ‘blatant disregard for fundamental human rights and democratic principles.’
“This is an arrest violating Article 25(1) under the South Sudan Constitution that protects rights to freedom of assembly and association.”
He urged Northern Bahr el Ghazal authorities to avoid meddling in civil society organizations’ operations.
“We urged the government of Northern Bahr El Gazal State to investigate the interference of national security into the affairs of CSOs and subsequently release the detained chairperson of CSON together with his colleagues without condition.”
