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

Inmates at the Wau Central Prison in Western Bar el Gazal State are now receiving food after the prison contractor resumed providing food to the facility, the regional prison official confirms.

On May 2, 2023, Wau Prison Director told Eye Radio about 1,125 inmates were starving due to a lack of food at the prison.

Major General Georgi Gabriel Gilo said a government-contracted company suspended food supply to the prison over nine-month arrears accumulation.

However, the unnamed prison contractor resumed supply on Labour Day.

The prison official did not, however, confirm if the arrears were paid.

General Gilo also said he has no idea if the contractor has resumed the food supply indefinitely or permanently.

“Praise be to God, the undertaker has returned and resumed supplying the prison with food, and it had stopped on Labor Day. He (the contractor) is currently transporting food to the prison, but I do not know how long he will continue to supply,” General Gilo told Eye Radio from Wau.

Prison food contractors are commonly reported to be suspending food supply – leaving prisoners starving.

The most recent incident was reported in Torit, where over 600 inmates are reportedly at risk of starvation.

In 2022, the administration of the Juba Prison also complained about the suspension of the food supply by the contractor due to unpaid arrests.