Willy Angok Ngor, Former Amiol Youth Chairperson-Photo|Courtesy

An SPLM youth leader who challenged the party to build roads and stock local hospitals with medicines rather than distribute “SPLM Oyee” campaign merchandise has been released from custody after a brief detention by National Security.

According to civil society activist Edmund Yakani, family sources confirmed that Angok was taken into custody in Juba, allegedly by personnel from the National Security Service (NSS). When contacted, NSS Internal Security Bureau spokesperson David John Kumuri stated he had no initial knowledge of the detention but would provide updates upon official verification.

Angok, a member of the SPLM Youth League and former chairperson of the Amiol Gemdit Youth, initially sparked nationwide public attention after a video circulated online showing him addressing a community gathering in Twic County, Warrap State.

In the viral video, Angok challenged politicians mobilizing support ahead of South Sudan’s anticipated elections to focus on providing basic infrastructure rather than distributing campaign merchandise. He argued that citizens are looking beyond party symbols and want leaders who can address long-standing development challenges.

“I have heard that the Vice President [Hussein Abdelbagi] is coming to campaign,” Angok told the gathering. “To you women, let me say this: our campaign as the Twic community this time is not about merely shouting ‘SPLM Oyee!’ No. Our ‘Oyee’ is for whoever will stock our hospitals with medicines, revive our schools, provide electricity, and connect our communities through roads.”

The youth leader also questioned the assumption that massive crowds wearing party-branded clothing reflected genuine political loyalty, pointing out that severe economic hardship has made campaign giveaways attractive to citizens for purely practical reasons.

“When you see crowds wearing SPLM red T-shirts, it does not necessarily mean they love the SPLM,” Angok argued. “These days, many people cannot afford to buy clothes… If someone gives you a red SPLM cap, you might as well take it simply to protect your head from the scorching sun.”

Following his release from custody, Angok addressed the public during the 18th Commemoration of the Fallen Heroes, Heroines, and Martyrs of Twic Mayardit at the Munuki Playground in Juba. He used the platform to vehemently deny rumors that he had defected to the opposition SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).

Angok fired back at critics who labeled him as opposition, stating that true loyalty to the ruling party comes from the heart, not from a T-shirt.

“People who say I am from I.O. have their wives in different parties,” Angok told the crowd. “My wife, when there is no food from the SPLM government, we wait for six months for it to come and we eat… I love SPLM from my heart. I am a supporter of SPLM, the SPLM that we know, and I’m going nowhere.”

He maintained that demanding development, roads, schools, and accountable leadership should never be interpreted as opposition politics, but rather as a legitimate call for service delivery.

Turning his attention to internal party organization, Angok urged the SPLM Youth League to halt superficial campaigns and instead focus on a rigorous data study of its membership records to gauge its true strength before the polls.

“How many members in the SPLM Youth League have a valid ID? How many have an expired ID?” Angok questioned. He noted that if the numbers fall short, the youth wing must convene a general assembly to launch aggressive recruitment drives in neglected areas like Akobo, Yambio, Maridi, Wau, Torit, Yei, Leer, Pajut, and Nasir.

Angok concluded with a sharp critique of politicians who secure educational opportunities for their own children in foreign cities while rural youth are left exposed to conflict.

“There is no point where an 18-year-old child is graduated and given a gun in Akobo, Leer, Pajut, or Nasir by their politician, while these politicians give their own children certificates,” Angok stated, urging South Sudanese youth to reject manipulation and unite for peace and development.