SPLM secretary in Jonglei claims threat after suspension

BOR – The suspended secretary of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party in Jonglei State Bartholomew Biliew has accused his boss, interim chairperson Jacob Akech Dengdit, of sending security threats to his residence.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Wednesday on phone, Biliew claimed that a group of security officers allegedly sent by Dengdit, also the deputy governor of Jonglei, arrived at his home late Saturday evening, demanding keys of his car.

He said he refused, citing the officers’ unofficial hours, and questioning their motives.

“It was on Saturday evening round 8:30pm when a group of officers from CID department police HQ were sent comrade Jacob Akech deputy governor of Jonglei to my resident. They were six in the first place but subsequently their number increased to 10 people,” he said.

“Similar condition happened on 30^th November when I was call to IGP office and threatened to give the car out by one of the officers’ call comrades Aleer Deng who claimed to be order by Akech.

“I asked them, why coming at night not during the daytime and why are they coming at weekend yet am not a criminal. They said we follow order from Jacob, and IGP [Inspector General of Police].

“The officers used all means to intimidate, harass and threaten me until the major whom I don’t know his name order his colleagues to forcefully search me,” he added.

Biliew said he sought safety at the house of a neighbor who he identified as James Hoth, fearing for his life, and said he will blame Dengdit for any future harm.

“My life is at risk and therefore, anything happens to me whether now or in future shall be labelled on Akech, this is for your information and public at large,” he said.

When contacted by Sudans Post, Dengdit’s camp vehemently denied Biliew’s accusations.

Acting assistant secretary for information Jacob Achiek insists there were no threats, claiming instead that Biliew was asked to return office equipment and stop signing documents as SPLM secretary while residing in Juba.

The SPLM official further accuses Biliew of fabricating the story to tarnish Dengdit’s image.

“No one threaten him, there was no any kind of threat in this regard but what we have learned from him he was told to hand over the office equipment because he is also writing some documents in Juba and signing as the secretary of the SPLM in Juba there,” Achiek said.

“Biliew was suspended by Jacob, and he is operating illegally in the hotel and when he was summoned to come to the secretariat he fails to come and then run back to juba and lobby for some nonsense talking about the chairperson of the SPLM in Jonglei state,” Achiek added.

Biliew maintains that he was not officially informed of his suspension, adding to the confusion, and fueling speculation.

The car, allegedly SPLM property, remains at the center of the dispute.