Governor Mahjoub of Jonglei pledges safe return for exiled activist

JUBA – The governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel Turuk, has called on prominent civil society leader, Bol Deng Bol, to return to the country after fleeing in July following the National Security Service’s (NSS) brief closure of his organization’s office.

Bol is the Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan and chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN). Days before his departure, he participated in a protest organized by Jonglei residents over rising basic commodity prices.

The NSS subsequently accused him of organizing the protest against the government and shut down his organization’s office. Bol went into hiding before fleeing the country to a regional destination.

In a letter addressed to Bol, Jonglei Governor Mahjoub invited him to return, assuring him that his government is committed to creating a safe environment for all citizens, including Bol himself.

“As the Governor of Jonglei State, I want to extend my sincere invitation for you to return to our state. I understand the concerns that led to your departure, and I assure you that we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all our citizens,” he said in the letter obtained by Sudans Post.

“I had a productive meeting with the Secretary General of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, Mr. Kuch Isaiah Maluk. We discussed various initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and collaboration within our community. I encourage you to come back and meet with me at your earliest convenience,” he added.

Bol, in a statement to Sudans Post, confirmed the invitation and accepted to return home, citing the forced nature of his departure. He urged the government of Jonglei State to provide a safe environment for civil society and the media in the state.

“In a letter from the Governor of Jonglei State yesterday, I was asked to return to Jonglei State to resume my work with safety assurance. Well, I accept this assurance and will return as soon as possible. However, it is important to note that when I left, it wasn’t willingly. I was forced to escape for my life as security forces attempted to arbitrarily arrest/kidnap me at night in my own house and when unsuccessful, they heightened their search until this day. But, unfortunately, there was a victim in this operation who didn’t escape the ruthlessness,” he said, without identifying the “victim”.

“I want to call on the Government of Jonglei State to give room to Civil Society and Media Actors in particular to exercise their mandates, enjoy their Human Rights and Freedoms as endowed upon South Sudanese by both National and International Legal frameworks,” he added.

Civil society leaders welcomed the invitation by the Jonglei governor and called for a conducive civic space in the country for activists and media actors to exercise their roles.

Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the civil society watchdog Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), welcomed the invitation and called on the international community to help address human rights issues affecting the country.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has welcomed the call made by His Excellency Mahjoub Biel Turuk, Governor of Jonglei State, to bring back Bol Deng Bol, the Executive Director of the Bor-based advocacy group INTREPID South Sudan. This call aims to strengthen collaboration among civil society organizations in Bor, Jonglei State, and the Greater Upper Nile region as a whole. Such efforts are expected to enhance trust and confidence within the Greater Upper Nile State,” he said.

“Addressing human rights, transitional justice, civic space, and the rule of law are critical areas that require international attention to restore trust in South Sudan. The country received 258 recommendations during the Universal Periodic Review, highlighting the need for the Government of South Sudan to prioritize the strengthening of its institutions, including the South Sudan Human Rights Commission,” he added.

Prominent activist Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the civil society watchdog Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), also welcomed the call and urged the Jonglei State governor to protect civil society and the media. He revealed an upcoming event involving the UN Mission in South Sudan.

“From 25th to 27th, Jonglei state will be witnessing political dialogue with support from UNMISS. Hon. Governor of Jonglei state should ensure that some of the invited participants that feel at risk like Bol Deng Bol are granted [safety], and this will demonstrate true trust for opening civic and political space in Jonglei state. As Executive Director of CEPO, I will be attending the dialogue for the operationalization of the issued state governor order for the observation of open civic and political space dated 24th June 2024,” he said.

Yakani stated that “State governors should really take responsibility for implementing the presidency order dated 22nd October 2022 together with resolutions number 14 and 17 of the state governors forums for 2022 and 2023. The Jonglei state governor has scored the positive beginning, including the state governor of Western Equatoria state.”