Over 20 members of Monyiemiji youth group arrested by NSS in E. Equatoria

JUBA – South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on Thursday arrested more than 20 members of the Easter Equatoria state-based Monyiemiji youth organization after they staged protests on Wednesday demanding that aid workers to evacuate the state within 72 hours.

According to Radio Tamazuj, two members of the youth organization were arrested at a market place, and others were arrested when they went to the NSS headquarters in Torit to demand the release of their colleagues.

Speaking at the state-owned Voice of Eastern Equatoria State 97.5 FM radio, the governor of Eastern Equatoria state Louis Lobong Lojore vowed to implement laws and arrested anyone he said is breaking laws.

“We as government must make laws, implement the laws and those who break the law will be taken to court, am sorry that these children of ours yesterday (Thursday) attacked the office of national security, and some of them were arrested and some of them ran,” Lobong said.

“These children did not give us a chance to resolve their problem and now they have gone beyond the law. They gave an ultimatum to NGOs and this is intimidation to the government and the organizations,” Governor Lobong added.

Top state government official stressed the important of aid organizations in the state and said “If the organizations leave our citizens will suffer, for them to come back it will take years and in all these times where will people be.”

“I want to tell our citizens that we (government) will implement the law, will make security to the organizations and the citizens and we have told organizations not to go and today (Friday) we will meet with organizations so that they provide their services and we as a government will be there.”