Civil rights activist Kuel Aguer faces paralysis but is obstructed from treatment

JUBA – South Sudanese civil rights activist and former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Kuel Aguer Kuel, revealed that government authorities are preventing him from traveling abroad to seek medical treatment, despite facing the threat of paralysis.

Governor Kuel was arrested in July 2021 and detained for over 17 months after he, along with other activists, called for President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar to step down, citing their failure to establish peace. He was acquitted in December 2022.

Speaking exclusively to Sudans Post on Friday, Kuel disclosed that his passport was confiscated by National Security Service (NSS) officers at Juba International Airport in April 2023 when he attempted to travel to India for doctor-recommended treatment.

“I am restricted from traveling. Not just restricted, but my passport was confiscated at Juba International Airport. That was on the 19th of April 2023, on my way to India because I was referred there even before I was arrested,” he said.

He explained that a pre-existing condition worsened during his imprisonment and that he required surgery in India. Despite his acquittal, Kuel expressed frustration over the confiscated passport and failed attempts to retrieve it.

“I have made attempts to get my passport back, but I did not succeed. So, it is not just a restriction, but my travel documents have been confiscated, and they are with National Security up to now,” he added.

Governor Kuel emphasized that being acquitted nullifies any justification for travel restrictions and warned of potential paralysis without surgery as recommended by his doctor.

“Without any surgery, I am now threatened to get paralyzed at any time on my side because the spine cord that has come out from the main cord is affecting the nerves that move from my leg to my hip. So, it is actually life-threatening,” he warned.

The activist called the travel restriction imposed on him a violation of his constitutional rights, citing Article 27.2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, which allows citizens to travel without restriction.