Gov’t told not to intimidate citizens as angry protesters ask Lomuro to apologize

JUBA – A  group of angry protestors at the University of Juba is calling for South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro to apologize after referring to citizens opposing the government river dredging initiative and Jonglei Canal reconstruction as ‘social media criminals’.

On June 30, in speech during late Manawa Peter Gatkuoth’s last funeral rite, Lomuro said citizens criticizing the government for its initiative to dredge Nile River of weeds and mud and opposition the project are ‘social media criminals’.

The remarks by the senior government official sparked social media controversy with some, including the minister of youth and sports Albino Bol Dhieu, firing back at the minister saying anyone calling citizens criminals for stating their opinions is a criminal.

This morning, a group of students of the University of Juba protested to demand apology from the national minister for insulting citizens who have right to express their views in issues that impact their live in one way or another.

“We are not criminals. Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro must apologize for calling us ‘criminals,’” one protestor wrote.

‘DON’T INTIMIDATE’

When contacted by Sudans Post, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) urge state security apparatuses not to harass citizens expressing their legitimate opinion on government projects.

“I am calling for state security agents not to harass, intimidate or detain any citizen for expressing his/her opinion during these public consultations on River dredging and Jonglei Canal resumption,” Yakani said this morning.

“The government should listen to the massive voices of the citizens who are increasingly becoming anti-dredging. The dredging of the River and Jonglei Canal is totally rejected by the citizens,” the prominent activist further said.