Machar’s party condemns arrest of teachers in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

AWEIL – South Sudan’s main armed opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar, condemned the recent detention of dozens of teachers by security agencies in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Teachers told Sudans Post last week that 27 of them were arrested and held in a security facility in the state capital, Aweil, after they attempted to protest a salary dispute with the state Ministry of Finance.

SPLM-IO Chairperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Angelina Aweng Abraham, called the arrests “unacceptable” and demanded the teachers’ immediate release in a statement on released and extended to Sudans Post on Sunday.

She explained that the tension arose when the salary payment committee allocated SSP 200 million to the Ministry of General Education. The state Ministry of Finance, however, allegedly demanded the funds be returned.

“Upon learning of the allocated funds, state security forces, acting on orders from the Ministry of Finance and other relevant authorities, stormed the Ministry of General Education to demand the money be returned,” Abraham claimed.

She further alleged that “several” teachers were arrested and “tortured”, with 70 ultimately detained in Aweil Town.

“The SPLM-IO condemns these unreasonable actions by the security forces in the strongest possible terms,” Abraham stated. “We also call for the immediate release of the detained teachers.”

She emphasized that corruption and misuse of public funds for personal gain hinder development and societal prosperity.

“The principle of zero tolerance for corruption must not be a mere slogan but a reality,” she declared. “The SPLM-IO will remain vigilant in this matter.”

Teachers reportedly received their July salaries but suspected discrepancies after comparing their pay slips with colleagues from Warrap State.

They raised concerns with the Ministry of General Education, which confirmed the difference in salary structures and requested the return of the excess funds.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by teachers in South Sudan, including salary disputes, poor working conditions, and limited resources.