Isaiah Hakim Garang, Chief Whip of the Former Detainees at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly – Courtesy photo.

A senior legislator representing the Former Detainees has criticised recent remarks by Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, describing them as incitement and saying they do not represent the group’s position.

The criticism comes more than two weeks after Vice President Nyandeng criticised the country’s leadership for neglecting the liberation struggle veterans, which she said has contributed to suffering and deaths.

Speaking at a press conference in Juba this morning, Isaiah Hakim Garang, the Chief Whip of the Former Detainees at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, said leaders have the right to express their views but should not encourage citizens to oppose the government.

“We came out as a former political detainee to condemn the statement made by Mama Rebecca Nyandeng as a vice president during the funeral prayers of late Hon. Kosti Manibe Ngai,” he said.

“As leaders, you are right to express your right, but it’s not also good to incite people to go out against our government. We are in the government of parties to the agreement. We have presidency, we have we have parliament and states. We are working as one team to save our people,” he explained.

Garang called on the public, particularly young people, to reject calls for confrontation and instead support the government as the country prepares for the 2026 elections.

“We are not part of whatever happened during the funeral of Hon. Kosti Manibe Ngai. And we are condemning that very strongly. And we are asking our youth to stand behind our president. Don’t listen to our leaders who are encouraging you to go out or to take arms. We are here to implement peace agreement,” he said.

“And we are preparing ourselves to go for election. We as a former political detainee, our position is very clear. We are standing with our president, President Salva Kiiir Maryadit, and flag bearer of the SPLM. We endorse him in our regions,” he further said.