![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&quality=80&ssl=1)
BOR – The Governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel Turuk, has placed state Minister of Land and Housing, Isaac Mamer Ruk, under house arrest.
Turuk accused Ruk of instigating recent anti-Sudan protests that led to the looting of Sudanese-owned businesses in the state capital, Bor.
Last week, protests erupted in Bor following the killing of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan. Angry youth took to the streets, resulting in the looting of Sudanese-owned shops.
In a document dated January 22, Governor Turuk ordered Ruk’s house arrest until further notice.
“Isaac Mamer Ruk is to remain at his home until further notice,” the document stated. “His Excellency Mahjoub Biel Turuk, the Governor of the State and Chairperson of the Security Committee, shall form an investigation committee to investigate the Minister’s involvement in many Security issues in the state, including recent developments such as the looting of the Marol Market.”
Ruk has denied the accusations, calling them baseless.
“The security charges that are put on me are baseless and are unfound,” Ruk told Sudans Post today. “When the incident happened here in Bor he [governor] was on his way to Juba and I don’t know why would the governor leave the state if there are crises in the state.”
Ruk further alleged that Governor Turuk is dividing the state cabinet based on political affiliations.
“The case is just a long-rankling in the cabinet because he used to say that you Amer and other colleague SPLM ministers I will divide you because you are the ones making Atong [deputy governor] strong so, he has been fighting SPLM members Long time ago,” Ruk said.