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Imatong community leader arrested over ‘political statement’ in Juba

Author: Madrama James | Published: January 15, 2025

Governor Lobong consults with office legal administrator and CID about the arrest of the community leader Mr Obur|Courtesy

Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has confirmed the rearrest of Imotong Community Chairperson after he was initially arrested without a warrant of arrest.

According to Lojore, Mr. Taban Obur Kerleto, was arrested by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in an operation that raised concerns among local authorities and the public.

He was arrested on Monday upon his arrival to Torit town from Juba where he attended a community meeting.

On January 14, the Governor’s office issued an order for Mr. Obur’s his release after being held for questioning in relation to the unspecified allegation levied against him.

However, on the next day, Governor Lobong said that Mr. Obur was legally rearrested after being initially freed from detention facility.

“When we discovered that this fellow was arrested without any warrant of establishment or arrest, I said he should be released. But later, the legal administrator came and said somebody came and opened a case the next day.

” Then I said that’s fine, if there is order of arrest, he can be arrested. But we apologize for arresting him before the order of arrest. So, this is what happened and later, I was told he’s arrested”, he said.

The motive behind Obur’s detention is unclear.

However, speaking to the media after his initial release, Obur attributed his detention to his remarks concerning the suffering of his people.

“From the CID office I was actually asked by the senior officials of the CID and I actually told them no, I’m the community chairperson who had actually presented a speech.

“In my speech, I talked about the situation of my people on ground. I didn’t actually mean somebody else, but I was talking about the leadership and actually the security the situation and the suffering of my people on ground.”

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