![South Sudan's map featuring Jonglei state in red. [Photo via Wikipedia]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Jonglei_in_South_Sudan.svg.png?resize=1024%2C743&ssl=1)
Jonglei state officials say the armed youth were demanding payments for services they provided along the Bor Gadiang, which is under construction and have since said they won’t release the senior government officials until they are paid.
“It is true there are government officials who are now under youth detention. Those youths are from Uror, Akobo, and Nyirol counties who have been providing patrols for safety and security of those constructing the road in Gadiang for the las three months,” Peter Latjor Chuol, Duk County Commissioner, is quoted by Radio Tamazuj as saying.
“But now these youths are alleging that they were not paid and that is why they said they are detaining those officials. Those youths are 300 from Akobo, 150 from Nyirol, and other 150 from Uror. For Duk youths, they were under different project of road clearance of shrubs for which they were paid.
“Now, these youth are saying that they are detaining the officials to put pressure on the government to have their wages cleared,” he added.
The government official further said that the matter has been reported to the state and national government and that preparations were being done for the delegation, which he said is let by the Jonglei State Minister of Roads, Mawich Makuach, to be released.
“The issue is not under my responsibility. It has been reported to state and national governments and I think a solution will be found soon. I don’t know the amount being demanded by the youths,” the country commissioner added.
