Six community chiefs detained in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

AWEIL – Residents of Kuom Boma of Nyalath Payam, located in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Aweil Center County, have reported the brief detention of six community chiefs on Thursday by local police authorities.

The arrest occurred in the boma headquarters, Kuom, following their refusal to accept a proposed transfer of their boma to Aweil Municipality.

Boma Administrator William Ajing, speaking to Sudans Post on Friday, expressed discontentment, stating that neither he nor the residents were informed about the visit of municipal officials who he said came with police force.

Ajing claimed that these officials, in collaboration with others, aimed to integrate the area into Aweil Town Municipality, a decision that triggered tension within the community.

Ajing asserted that the mayor of Aweil, accompanied by police forces, abruptly convened a meeting in Kuom without prior notification, insisting that the area fell within Aweil town’s jurisdiction.

The confrontation led to the arrest – for several hours – of six community chiefs who adamantly declared that Kuom was under the authority of Aroyo (Aweil Center County) and not Aweil Town Council.

“Their claims sparked conflict, and the chiefs were subjected to police torture,” Ajing lamented. “Each was penalized with a fine of 60,000 SSP before their eventual release.”

Ajing vowed to collaborate with Aroyo authorities at Aweil Center County headquarters to counter any attempts at annexation that might exacerbate communal tensions.

In response to allegations from Kuom’s residents, Mayor William Dut Mou clarified that his visit was upon the invitation of certain Kuom residents, including chiefs, to address community concerns.

“I was called by some residents, including chiefs, to hear their grievances. Upon arrival, various issues were raised, such as the necessity for a local school to prevent children from wandering the streets of Aweil, and the demand to upgrade their health center to a Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU),” Dut explained.

Dut denied intentions of annexation, citing that the residents themselves engaged in quarrels, prompting intervention.

“The truth is, Kuom historically falls within Aweil, as some chiefs can confirm. Our aim was to listen and provide essential support. As for the arrest, it was to defuse tension, and they were released afterward,” he clarified.

Refuting claims of imposing fines, Dut urged the parties involved to seek amicable resolutions instead of spreading misinformation.

The ongoing disputes over annexation have been a recurring source of conflict between municipal authorities and residents, similar to past tensions in Maper-Akot-Aru and Udhum areas last year.