Jonglei State Power wrangles: 37 locked behind doors by Deputy Governor for “messing with him”

Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Nyok Kucha has ran riot by arresting 37 senior members of SPLM in Bor in an alleged power wrangle between him and Town Mayor Ago’ot Alier over the release of a statement calling for his sacking.

This week, at least 38 people wrote a letter to the Deputy Governor, Antipas Nyok, demanding his resignation for allegedly mismanaging party affairs in the state.

Speaking to the media this afternoon, Isaac Mamet, Former State Advisor for Peace and Reconciliation, who is among the three being detained said they were arrested because they were told to have been messing with the Deputy Governor for writing and inciting bad sentiments against the deputy governor.

“The people who wrote the letter include myself and we were arrested yesterday because we were told that ‘you are messing with the deputy governor’ [Antipas] Nyok,” he said.

“Our detention is not legitimate and we condemn it,” he added.Police also have confirmed the arrest and said the three being detained have made an incitement against the Deputy Governor.“

They mobilized against the deputy governor and that’s why they are being detained now. They are being investigated and they will be arranged in court soon,” one police office who requested not to be named told the media from Bor.

Deputy Governor, Antipas Nyok has debunked the allegations that he arrested the officials. He said that the officials were arrested by Ateny Apech. Antipas Nyok is also accusing Bor Mayor Agoot Alier of leaving SPLM to take the position of Mayor from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance(SSOA).

Ateny Pech, who went to the police in Bor town, told SBS Dinka that he only opened a defamation case against three people within the SPLMA, namely Mamer Ruk, Deng Ajak and Anyieth Makuei, for allegedly putting his names in a petition without his consent. After the release of the “defamation” statement, Deputy Governor Nyok Kucha wrote a decree sacking Ago’ot Alier as Town Mayor over “indisciplinary issues towards SPLM”. The statement was rebutted by Hon.

Governor Denay Chagor, reaffirming Ago’ot as the “ultimate Town Mayor” for Bor municipality. He said that the position doesn’t to belong to SPLM under the agreement as it isn’t covered, instead it remains within the office of the governor. Am