NSS releases Aweil East youth leader after days in detention

AWEIL – The Acting Chairperson of the Aweil East County Youth Union, Thiep Deng Akol, who was detained earlier this week by agents of the National Security Service (NSS) in Wanyjok town, has been released and returned home on Wednesday.

Thiep was arrested alongside his colleague Akok Dut and taken to Aweil town, where they were held for several days without formal charges.

A resident of Wanyjok, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, confirmed to Sudans Post that the two men had been seen walking freely in the town.

“The two gentlemen are out, but we were told their case is still pending. We’re just happy they have been released,” the resident said.

The Chairperson of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Youth Union, George Atem Garang, also confirmed the release, saying the two were granted bail following engagement with relevant authorities.

“We have been in touch with local and state officials. The information we received indicates that Thiep was accused of reporting inaccurate information to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), suggesting that parts of Aweil East were insecure and inaccessible,” Atem explained from Juba.

“Thiep works as an enumerator in Baac Payam, and that report apparently put him at odds with county authorities,” he added.

Atem said he had spoken with the state ministers of Local Government and of Youth, Culture, and Sports, who agreed to release the youth leader and consider his account of events.

He urged law enforcement and security agencies to respect due process in handling such cases.

“Any arrest conducted outside the law raises serious concerns. Security organs must adhere to constitutional procedures, and anyone detained should be produced in a court of law within 24 hours,” he stressed.

The detention of the two youth leaders has sparked fresh concerns about recurring incidents of arbitrary arrests in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, where local officials have often been accused of abusing power and detaining individuals without due legal process.

According to Atem, Thiep and his colleague will either be pardoned by the county authorities through local dialogue or formally charged in court, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions.