Budi County Youths Complain Of Arbitrarily Arrests

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Members of Budi County have reported that youth groups in Chukudum, the County capital in Eastern Equatoria State are still hiding in bushes as security operatives continue to search and arrest them arbitrarily.

In Chukudum fan club, a social joint for most Budi inhabitants, one of the youth members reported that those hiding in bushes fear the security operatives hunting for them.

The move comes after Monday’s crack down on some youths believed to be engaged in crimes in Chukudum town where over 60 youths were reported to have been arrested by security officers.

A radio station in Torit reported that the youths and some masterminds who escaped arrest still fear to return home.

Among the persons hiding in the bushes are  the County Secretary of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Budi County, Margaret Nakong and former Commissioner Oreste Lopara.

According to Radio Emmanuel, the source also disclosed that Budi County Youth Leader Mr. Karta and a Secondary School teacher Mr. Isaac Moi are still in detention.

The State government sent a team of Budi County MPs and politicians to Chukudum following the news that security officials arrested more than 60 youths in Budi County, a move that has created tension in the area.

A source disclosed that the new Commissioner of Budi County, Maurice Merisiya Kaunda, ordered the arrest of the youths following allegations that the some of them were planning to demonstrate against his administration.

“This is a very wrong decision by the Commissioner, if you hold any office in government, never ever touch the youth because they can erupt like a dormant volcano taking you down. Governor Louis Lobong should know that Budi County is not a playing ground for his own manufactured propaganda. All youths must go back home and defend themselves, they should protest for their imprisoned colleagues who are innocent,” a youth member anonymously said.