PRESS STATEMENT: The Detention of SPLM-DC Members in Juba.

(20/02/2010, SPLM-DC) Further to our press statement of yesterday. The number of SPLM-DC members detained has risen to three plus the driver. Our contacts with the authorities in Juba have revealed that the captors were officers belonging to a special military intelligence unit called “The Special Branch” falling directing under the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). In addition to Mr Amjad Angelo who was arrested on disembarking from the plane, the other two came to the airport to receive him. When they saw Amjad being dragged away by the soldiers, they enquired about the development. They were there and then detained and taken away to an unknown destination.

Our enquiries confirmed that they were detained in one of the notorious cells belonging to this Special Branch. The Chief of Military Intelligence of the SPLA visited them and took some video shots of the detained members of the SPLM-DC and gave a statement to the government radio and television in Juba that our members were detained because they were carrying a pistol!!! Nothing was mentioned about the elections materials seized.

Such a ridiculous statement is irresponsible and insulting to the intelligence of the common man. A number of questions arise: how could somebody who was on a commercial flight carry a pistol? If he was carrying one, should it be the “Special Branch” to handle the matter or the Police, or even Public Security? Is the pistol licensed or not? Etc.

The truth is that Mr Amjad Angelo was arrested as soon as he disembarked from the plane and did not carry anything other than the elections materials which were seized by the captors. The other three persons detained are residents of Juba and went to the airport to pick up Amjad. If any of them had a pistol on him, what has that to do with the detention of Amjad in the first place?

It is obvious that Amjad was detained so that the elections materials do not reach Juba. One of those detained from Juba is the owner of the car and is being held only for being the brother of Dr Lam Akol, Chairman of SPLM-DC and our candidate for the office of the President of GOSS. The SPLM leadership is running scared of any competition in the current elections. We received reports this morning that such incidents of interference in the elections campaigns of candidates in the elections are now happening in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap and other States. Posters are being torn by soldiers of the SPLA and candidates are denied permission to hold rallies.

We assure our members and supporters that we shall leave no stone unturned until our colleagues are released, the perpetrators brought to justice and the relevant authorities undertake that such violations of human rights are not repeated. We assure all and sundry that our elections strategy shall not be deterred or deflected by such misconduct and misbehavior. We have already informed the National Elections Commission in writing that the SPLM-DC is launching its campaign in Southern Sudan next week. This is going to take place, come what may. Either there is a free and fair election or there is none.

The Information Department
SPLM-DC