Lawyers say detained South Sudan ex-VP Bol Mel at risk of losing his life in detention

JUBA — Lawyers representing former South Sudanese Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel have petitioned the Ministry of Justice, warning that his 120-day incommunicado detention without trial places his life at imminent risk.

The petition, submitted on March 6 by advocate Kiir Chol of Kiirdit & Co. Advocates, calls on the justice minister to instruct government agencies to justify Bol Mel’s continued detention or immediately release him.

According to the filing, Bol Mel was “on the night of 12th day of November, 2025, arbitrarily arrested in his residence by the respondent’s agencies/servants and held incommunicado detention… for a cumulative period of about (120) days without charges nor judicial process.”

The legal team raised severe concerns over Bol Mel’s deteriorating health in custody, demanding urgent intervention.

“The applicant has been seriously ill with no adequate medical attention and that there is imminent risk and irreparable damage that he may loss his life if no urgent action is taken,” the filing warned.

The lawyers argue the detention violates fundamental rights guaranteed under South Sudan’s 2011 transitional constitution, including the right to personal liberty, freedom from torture, and the right to a fair trial.

They allege Bol Mel has been denied access to family, legal counsel, and medical care, and that his assets were seized without a court order.

“His own private properties such as some houses and cars were seized or confiscated by the respondent’s agencies/servants without court order,” the petition states.

The motion asks the justice minister to either bring Bol Mel before a competent court if there is evidence against him, or grant him immediate access to his family, lawyers, and doctors.

The lawyers stressed that the prolonged detention amounts to “illegal detention… and an abuse of powers of the office by the respondents’ agencies/servants.”

Under South Sudan’s transitional constitution and Criminal Procedure Act, every citizen has the right to personal liberty, and arbitrary arrest is prohibited.

Detention without charge cannot legally exceed 72 hours without judicial approval, and any extension must be authorized by a court. Articles 12, 18, and 19 further guarantee a fair trial, prompt charges, and protection from inhuman treatment—provisions the lawyers argue have been entirely violated.

The legal challenge follows Bol Mel’s dramatic fall from power late last year. President Salva Kiir dismissed Bol Mel as vice president and deputy leader of the ruling party in November, according to a decree read on state television, cutting ties with a man widely rumored at the time to be Kiir’s preferred successor.

Following his Wednesday evening dismissal, security forces immediately surrounded Bol Mel’s residence in the capital’s Jebel neighborhood. His relatives and staff were barred from visiting him starting that Thursday morning, according to his aides.