Gate of Wau Central Prison where Akwac is being held for refusing to accept an arranged marriage. (Photo: Courtesy).

The Director of Wau Central Prison in Western Bahr el Ghazal State said about 1,150 inmates are starving due to lack of food after the contractor suspended food supply to the facility over unpaid arrears.

Major General George Gabriel Gilo said he found out there was no food for the inmates in a visit to the prison on Monday morning.

General Gilo described the situation in the prison as shocking.

“I was shocked this morning that there were no food items in the prison, and I was told by the (Director of South Sudan Prison Service) that there’s no food supplier who will come,” he said in an interview with Eye Radio.

According to General Gilo, the company suspended the supplies by May 1 due to unpaid arrears.

“The contractors announced that they will suspend the food supply to the prisoners starting from date 1st May. On Sunday I communicated with the agent of the contractors and asked him if this news is true and he confirmed it to us that it’s true.”

General Gilo said the unidentified contractor told him that the directive comes from the Prison Authorities in Juba.

“I asked the Director-General of Prisons Service in South Sudan and he told me it is true. I asked for the official letter about this and he told me that he will communicate and bring our copy.”

Wau Central Prison of Western Bahr el Ghazal State was built during the colonial era of 1930.

According to General Gilo, the prison houses more than 1,150 inmates from parts of the Bahr el Ghazal region who were convicted for crimes including murder, rape, sexual assault, and theft.