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Local News Agencies Report: By Naim Mubarak Kol
The spokesperson for the National Security Service in South Sudan, David John Komori, called on citizens to remain calm and not be drawn into the violence that occurred in the Upper Nile State.
David held a press conference on Saturday after reports of the service detaining individuals believed to be connected to the clashes that took place in the Ulang and Nasir counties of Upper Nile State. He stated that the service would not hesitate to take decisive measures to support security and ensure stability across the country. He urged the public to remain calm and have trust in the government authorities to address the contentious issues in accordance with the law. He denied rumors that the arrests were arbitrary or illegal and affirmed that no one is above the law. He explained: “These arrests are not targeted based on regional, geographical, ethnic, or political grounds.”
Komori mentioned that the National Security Service had gathered crucial evidence from multiple participating sources, which underwent thorough analysis and verification to confirm its accuracy. This led to the arrest and detention of several individuals believed to have confirmed ties to the escalating military conflict in the cities of Nasir, Ulang, and their surroundings.
However, the National Security Service has not disclosed the number of detained individuals so far. He added that the arrests would continue until all elements posing a threat to national security are neutralized.
David also mentioned that the arrests were carried out by the service’s agents through extensive intelligence gathering to obtain important information about individuals, both inside and outside the country, who contribute to fueling the conflict in the region. He emphasized that the role of the service is to protect the peace agreement signed in 2018 to resolve the conflict in South Sudan. He said, “Therefore, no mission assigned to the service should be classified as arbitrary or illegal by the enemies of the state. It must be regarded as the professionalism and legal conduct of the institution.”
David added that this action was carried out as a right of the National Security Service, as stated in Articles 54 and 55 of the National Security Service Act of 2024, as amended, to implement Article 7 accurately.
It is worth noting that the National Security Service Act allows the institution to carry out arrests without a court order. The National Security Service emphasized that South Sudan is a sovereign country like any other and has the right to stop any threat to its national security.
David added: “We want to assure the public that the National Security Service and other law enforcement agencies are fully aware of these developments and are therefore taking all necessary and appropriate actions, including arrests, to address the situation. It is important to note that the interest of the National Security Service lies in ensuring that any abuse of power or rebellion by law enforcement officers is unacceptable, and the individuals involved will be held accountable for their actions.”
Last week, Minister of Information Michael Makuei explained that the officials were arrested because they were “in conflict with the law,” stating: “They were arrested because they are in conflict with the law. There is no joke about this, because what we need is security. Therefore, if someone is arrested, it must be for a reason.”
He added: “If you are in conflict with the law, it means you are accused, and you are in violation of the law. Once you violate the law, you are in conflict with the law, and if you are in conflict with the law, you are arrested and taken to court.”
Among those arrested were General Gabriel Duop Lam, Deputy Chief of Staff of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and the Acting Chief of Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO). Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chol, was also arrested at his home in Tonfing.
Other detainees include General Kuang Gatkuit Kergiek, Inspector General of the SSPDF; General Wesley Wilibi, Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics; and General Ashab Khamis Fahl, Assistant Chief of Staff for Morale. The detainees also include General Karanja Ayii Akol, Director-General of Procurement at the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and a representative from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA). All detainees are under house arrest without guards.
These arrests came amid rising political and security tensions, particularly in the three states controlled by the SPLM-IO: Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile. Analysts have speculated that the arrests are linked to the recent unrest in these states, as well as the challenges in implementing the 2018 peace agreement.
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