Detained disability affairs director appeals for justice amid political allegations

JUBA – The Director of Disability Affairs in the Office of the Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Stephen Dhieu Kuach, has appealed to President Salva Kiir for his release from police custody, claiming his arrest stems from political persecution.

Kuach, who was arrested on March 31, 2024, for allegedly selling an official vehicle assigned to him, asserts that the charges are politically motivated due to his affiliation with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

“I was arrested in my office yesterday and later transferred to the Northern Division of the police in Juba. I have not been informed why I am being detained,” Kuach told Sudans Post in an interview on Thursday.

Kuach, who is visually impaired, expressed fear for his safety and well-being, insisting on his innocence and calling on President Kiir to intervene. “I think the solution is for President Salva Kiir to say no to what his deputy is doing,” he said.

David Dau Achuoth, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, defended the arrest, stating that Kuach was detained over the disappearance of the vehicle.

“We had a vehicle for staff operations. Stephen requested it to visit Mangala, but he decided to sell the car. He disappeared without official leave for three weeks,” Achuoth explained, adding that Kuach had refused to cooperate with security officers about the car’s whereabouts.

Kuach, however, argued that the situation should have been handled administratively. “The alleged car issue should be dealt with administratively, but unfortunately, it has been turned into a personal matter,” Kuach said.

The case has sparked concerns from Kuach’s family and supporters, who allege that his detention is being prolonged without due process. According to South Sudan’s laws, detainees must be brought before a court within 24 hours of their arrest, and pretrial detention should not exceed six months unless extended by a court order.

However, Kuach has been in detention for over five months without formal charges or court appearance.

A family member expressed frustration, telling Human Rights Watch: “There is nobody to speak to about the case. We try to talk to the Criminal Investigation Department, and they say go to Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior. We go to the Vice President’s office, and they tell us to go elsewhere. We are very frustrated.”

In July, a prison medical doctor recommended Kuach’s release on health grounds, citing his heart condition and glaucoma, but he remains in detention without receiving adequate medical treatment.

Kuach’s legal team and family have raised concerns about his deteriorating health, urging authorities to resolve the case and ensure that justice is served.

South Sudanese law mandates that detainees be given fair treatment and timely access to justice. However, Kuach’s prolonged detention and the alleged lack of clarity around his case have drawn increasing criticism from human rights advocates and his community.

The office of the Vice President, the complainant in the case, has yet to clarify its stance, with officials maintaining that they have no interest in pursuing the matter further.