Yakani says arrest of Jonglei activist indicator of ‘shrinking’ civil space

JUBA – South Sudan’s prominent activist Edmund Yakani has appealed to the government in Jonglei state to release detained civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, describing his detention today as an indication of a shrinking civic space in the world’s youngest country.

Bol who is the leader of Jonglei State Civil Society Network was arrested and detained at Marol Market on Monday morning by security forces conducting a demolition exercise, according to the secretary-general of Jonglei state civil society activist.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this evening, Yakani who is also the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said his detention is an indicator for a shrinking civic space in the country and called for his release.

“CEPO is calling for the release of Bol Deng Bol from detention by security forces in Bor town. It is a violation of freedom of expression and at the same time a clear indicator of shrinking civic space for the civil society,” the activist said.

Yakani said Bol’s arrest is illegal and described it as a disturbing trend in the country’s turbulent civic space.

“The unlawful acts on the civil society are disturbing trend and it should be stopped. Whatever Bol Deng Bol have done should have been handled in a legal manner,” he said.

“It is essential that if he is in conflict with the law, he should be brought to court of law with exercise of legal due process than if he is not in conflict with the law than he be release without any preconditions,” the prominent activist stressed.

“Finally, is urging the leadership of Jonglei state to ensure Bol Deng Bol is not torture or face any inhuman act under the current detention,” he concluded.