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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University Students Protest at GPOC HQ Over Unpaid Tuition Commitments ‎

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‎A group of university students from South Sudan’s oil-producing regions staged a peaceful protest on Monday morning at the headquarters of the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) in Juba, demanding the company fulfill its promise to cover their tuition fees.

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‎The protest resulted in the brief arrest of several students, according to Khamis Othow Omot, Chairperson of the Student Union. 

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‎“They were arrested, but they’ve now been released and are back at their office,” Omot told Aweil News Agency. 


He emphasized that the protest was peaceful and organized to draw attention to what he described as a broken promise by GPOC.

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‎The student leader warned that the situation remains unresolved and that many affected students may have missed their exams due to the financial uncertainty. The students are calling on GPOC to honor its financial commitment and engage in immediate dialogue.

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‎Efforts to get a response from GPOC and police officials were unsuccessful at the time of publishing.

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‎This protest highlights ongoing frustration among students from oil-producing communities who say they are being neglected despite the wealth generated from their regions. 

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‎As tensions rise, observers are urging both GPOC and the government to address the matter swiftly to avoid further disruption.

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

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Image
‎ 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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