SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
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Cueibet County Commissioner Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions in Lakes State ‎

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Former Commissioner of Cueibet County of Lakes State, Deng Mario Deng.


The Commissioner of Cueibet County, Deng Mario Deng, has been arrested in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, in a move that deepens political tensions between the SPLM-IO and the ruling SPLM party. 

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‎Deng, a member of the SPLM-IO, was taken into custody shortly after he responded to a summons from Governor Rin Tueny Mabor on April 15.

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‎Though Deng initially reported that he was free to move and retained his security detail upon arrival in Rumbek, his status changed dramatically by Wednesday, with his arrest now confirmed. 

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‎The reason behind the commissioner’s detention has not been made public, and no official charges have been announced.

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‎This arrest comes just days after several senior SPLM-IO officials, including Lakes State Deputy Governor Isaiah Akol Mathiang, were also detained by the National Security Service. 

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‎The wave of arrests has raised alarms about the stability of the power-sharing agreement under the 2018 peace deal, particularly in states like Lakes where political divisions remain sharp.

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‎Cueibet County, which Deng has led, is currently grappling with a surge in intercommunal violence. Earlier this month, deadly clashes between members of the Gok community in Cueibet and the Agar community in Rumbek left at least 14 people dead and 25 others injured. 


Deng's arrest now risks creating a leadership vacuum at a critical time for the county.

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‎As of this writing, the SPLM-IO has not released an official statement regarding the arrest of their senior member. 

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‎Observers fear this may escalate tensions further and undermine efforts to maintain peace and security in the region.

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‎This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.

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