JUBA — The SPLM-IO has accused the government of torture, starvation and denial of medical care to over 100 detained officers and officials in Juba, while confirming the death of a bodyguard of Dr. Riek Machar at Giada Military Barrack on Thursday.
In a press statement, the holdout faction under acting chairman Nathaniel Oyet said it has learned that 10 other political detainees who are in critical condition are being denied medical care.
“We have learned with profound sorrow the death of Captai Luka Gathok Nyuon, an SPLA-IO officer and a political detainee who passed away yesterday morning at the Tiger Division Facility in Juba,” reads the letter signed by Hon. Oyet Nathaniel.
The group reports that the overall list of the detainees include 82 protection officers of Dr. Riek Machar, including four senior military officers; brigadier generals Mark Diu, Par Dang Yut, and Kuok Dang Yiel. Those officers are being held at Tiger Division Center, Giada Military Base.
Others are six senior officials and officers including Puot Kang Chol, Gen. Duop Lam and MP Gatwech Lam Puoch detained at the National Security Service Headquarters, and Jamus Division facility in Giada Military Barrack.
Meanwhile, Lakes State Deputy Governor Isaiah Akol Alfred Mathiang and the state minister of Animal Resources Gai Magok being held at Nyang detention center in Yirol East.
The remaining detainees are more than 20 other SPLM-IO members and officers, allegedly abducted and held incommunicado at Jamus detention center, NSS detention center including Brig. Gen. Tony Costa, Brig. Gen. Farouk Abdallah, and John George.
“We would like to state that the SPLM-IG-led fascist regime continues to unlawfully detain over one hundred SPLM-IO officials and officers under very hard conditions including torture, starvation and denial of medical care.”
The SPLM-IO said it condemns the “inhumane mistreatment” of its political detainees, adding that the alleged torture and denial of medical service is a violation of local and international humanitarian law.
The government is yet to comment on the allegations, and several calls to army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang went unanswered.