Lakes state students in Kampala boycott meeting over Governor’s security policies
March 17, 2013 (RUMBEK) - Students from South Sudan’s Lakes state reportedly boycotted a meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday in protest against the new Governor’s hardline security policies and human rights record. According to the chairman of the Rumbek Youth Union (RUMYU) in Kampala, Marial Makuong, the Governor phoned him requesting that the students brainstorm ideas of how to improve security in the state. However, the meeting at Mukwano Mall was only attended by 45 students, a low number for such meeting. Laat Marial, a student who attended meeting said that the “majority of youth from Rumbek had boycotted the meeting. Only 45 students attend the meeting and they refuse to contribute ideas" because of their unhappiness with Governor. He described the meeting as "fake" and the Lake state youth were "annoyed" that Dhoul had asked for their views considering the current situation. Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol, was installed in January, replacing Chol Tong Manyang, who had been struggling to prevent inter-clan violence in the state. Dhuol has introduced a string of tough measures over the last two months, with some residents accusing him of introducing marshal law. The Governor has created military prison in Langcok in northern part of Rumbek Central County, where more than 100 young men suspected of involvement in recent violence are being held. No relatives, human rights officials or lawyers have been allowed to visit the prison and there are reports that prisoners are being mistreated on a daily basis at Langcok as well as Rumbek Central prison. Earlier this month the chairman of the Rumbek Youth Union in Australia, Magang Chol Mathei, appealled to Lakes state’s leadership to release Manyang Maker Tulba, an Australian citizen who has been arrested and allegedly "tortured" in connection with February’s inter-communal clashes. The other measures Dhuol has introduced include: • Warning the commissioners of all eight counties that they will be sacked of they fail to confront cattle raiders and bring them to justice. • Threatening to close the Lakes State’s Legislative Assembly if politicians continue to debate political issues. • Banning alcohol from being sold in Lakes state apart from at six specific hotels. • Requiring that all firearms in the state be registered. GOVERNOR MISSES RUMBEK EVENT DUE TO INSECURITY Lakes state’s military caretaker Governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol was forced to cancel a scheduled event with the Lakes State Youth Union (LSYU) in Rumbek on Saturday due to insecurity in Rumbek East County. The long waited ceremony was initially supposed to take place in February but was postponed while the new Governor attempted to address inter-communal violence within the state. Apuk Rec, the union’s chairman confirmed that preparation for that welcoming had been prepared at Akon Buio hall but Governor did not show up to meet the over 100 youth leaders who had gathered to hear his address. “We were told that [the] Governor received [an] urgent phone call in Rumbek East County were insecurity was rising”, Rec said. Apuk did not indicate when the event would be held. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
