Garang John denies asking US for asylum, says he has been diagnosed with disc prolapse

JUBA, APRIL 7, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s controversial activist Garang John has denied rumors that he has wrote to the United States embassy in Juba for asylum after his release from the National Security Serviced (NSS) detention, and said he is trying to recover after being diagnosed with disc prolapse.

In the purported letter addressed to Michael J. Adler, the United States Ambassador to South Sudan, Garang John asked the American envoy for speedy process for his immigration to the United States – a “safer country” – as Juba has continued to grow wild against him and that the National Security Service has continued to monitor his movements.

“In our earlier conversation, you advised me that if things get out of control you will offer me asylum in the United States. As you are well aware, Juba is becoming increasingly unsafe for me. Mrs. Charlotte has assisted me to apply for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). However, it’s three weeks and no feedback has been forthcoming from the embassy,” he said in the alleged letter.

“The SIV process has been slow and painstaking. I have been asked to undergo a background check, medical examination, first-stage interview, submitted a range of forms, including my age assessment certificate, and a copy of my passport. However, I cannot produce the letter of recommendation from anyone else because this would cause suspicion among the security agents who have been assigned to monitor my movements.

“My health is deteriorating and the threat to liquidate me increases each day. My appeal is for you to put me under protection while facilitating my visa. All I want is freedom in a free country – America. I have connections in Nairobi to liaise with to speed up my escape. There are sketchy plans in place but I have been advised against as it is too risky at the moment. The NSS still monitors my movement and telephone conversations,” he added.

But in a statement this morning, Garang John said the letter is fake and was authored by “my tormentors” who he said had colluded to label charges against him in order to be arrested by the notorious National Security Service.

“Disregard that fake letter making rounds on certain WhatsApp groups alleging that I, Garang John, have written to the U.S Ambassador in Juba, seeking asylum in the United States. I didn’t write such a letter. I am aware that my tormentors are doing anything possible including putting me at loggerhead with the state authorities as well as blackmails and life threats against me but I am keeping quiet because tomorrow is another day,” he said.

“The letter is purported to have been written and signed by Garang John, but if indeed I wrote such asylum-seeking letter, I would use my full official names not just my first and second names. The signature is a scanned copy that was possibly cut and pasted from another source. The quality of cut-and-paste significantly belies any credibility. I don’t know of anyone who would want to water down his/her application

“I know the number of days I spent behind bars. While I am a journalist, mathematics was always my favorite subject in primary and secondary schools, and I did not suddenly forget basic arithmetic behind bars. For the record, I was incarcerated for exactly 60 days, (January 16th – March 16th).

“Finally, there is a general saying in the West that ‘the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime.’ The propagandists who wrote this letter are not far away from those who fabricated charges against me.”

He said he is “trying to recuperate and heal here in Juba after being diagnosed with disc prolapse and other health complications. Those who have vendetta against the president can have their fight elsewhere without dragging my names around.”

A disc prolapse – also known as a herniated disc – is a medical condition that occurs when the soft tissue, called the nucleus pulposus, inside a spinal disc bulges out through a weak spot in the surrounding outer layer, called the annulus fibrosus.

This bulging can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area. Disc prolapse is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and the neck (cervical spine) but can also occur in the mid-back (thoracic spine).