Release Ends Lengthy Detention
After 134 days behind bars, Lakes State authorities quietly released MPs Kaman Makuei and Ater Akolde alongside youth leader Mandela Machiek, signaling a cautious easing of tensions inside South Sudan’s political arena.
The trio, all senior members of the opposition SPLM-IO, had been held since March under accusations of online incitement after criticizing air-strikes and clashes in Upper Nile’s Nasir County.
Government’s Position on Public Order
Acting Information Minister William Koji Kerjok said on Eye Radio, “The Lakes State government does not tolerate political or social crises that threaten stability.” He added that those freed should “refrain from making inflammatory statements” as national peace efforts mature.
Officials link the detentions to social-media posts, notably one by Deputy Governor Isaiah Akol Mathiang described as “provocative”. Authorities argue that swift action was vital to prevent the rhetoric from spilling into inter-communal violence that has rocked the region before.
Two Leaders Still Behind Bars
Deputy Governor Mathiang and Animal Resources Minister Samuel Gai Magok remain under investigation. No timeline for their release has been announced, and the state says their case files are still with security organs.
Kerjok hinted that employment status for all five officials is being reviewed. Reinstatement, suspension or dismissal will be determined after legal consultations, a move analysts see as a test of the administration’s commitment to procedural justice.
Regional Analysts Gauge Implications
Peace monitors in Juba note that limited due-process information has surfaced, yet the measured release could ease friction between SPLM-IO and government representatives inside the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity.
Civil society voices caution that sustainable calm hinges on transparent legal procedures and consistent communication, especially in states such as Lakes where cattle-related conflicts can ignite quickly.
What Comes Next for Lakes State
Observers expect further statements from Juba after the investigations conclude, while local leaders urge communities to focus on reconciliation programs already underway across Lake State’s eight counties.