Civic and police space continues to shrink in South Sudan as the anticipated general elections scheduled for December 2024 draw closer. File Photo
The government of the United States of America through its embassy in Juba condemned the utter lack of transparency and due process in the arrest of the former Mayor of Juba City Council, Kalisto Ladu who is now under detention in the notorious Blue House detention facility being ran by the National Security Service.
On March 30, security agents arrested Kalisto Ladu after speaking against the injustice and abuse of power in the country.
In November 2021, the Governor of Central Equatoria State Emmanuel Adil Anthony dismissed Kalisto Ladu from his mayorship position for allegedly enforcing orders for the reorganization of the national capital, Juba without consulting his superiors.
Kalisto defended his move citing that he was acting within his constitutional authority. The dismissal was received with mixed reactions as some of the populace lamented that Kalisto was supposed to be given more time to implement his priorities and others attributed his dismissal to his daring to demolish the houses of some influential individuals who deliberately constructed on the public spaces and main streets.
Ever since the dismissal, Kalisto has been criticising the government, speaking boldly about the plight of marginalized populations and the rampant syndicated land grabbing being practiced against the will of the indigenous communities of Central Equatoria State.
The arrest of former Mayor Kalisto drew wide condemnation and ignited the call for relocation of the national capital from Juba to the proposed Ramciel area and dismissal of Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony from his position for allegedly failing to contain land grabbing in Juba.
United States Embassy in a statement extended to Golden Times said the detention of Kalisto is yet another example of the South Sudanese transitional government’s failure to open civic and political space for its citizens.
“We call on transitional government authorities to respect the rule of law and provide a public accounting of Mr. Kalisto’s detention,” the US embassy’s statement partly read.
South Sudan Civil Society Forum also called for ‘due process’ in the case of former Mayor Kalisto Ladu
On April 2, the South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF) strongly condemned the arrest of Mr. Kalisto Ladu that happened on Easter Sunday.
The arrest of Kalisto raises significant concerns regarding compliance with due process and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in the South Sudan Legal Framework, SSCSF said in a statement seen by Golden Times.
The SSCSF emphasized that the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 as amended, guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens.
“Article 12 of the Constitution explicitly protects the right to liberty and security of person, ensuring that individuals are not unlawfully detained. Furthermore, Article 19 (4) stipulates that any arrested individual must be promptly brought before a court of law within 24 hours of their detention,” the group argued.
“In light of these constitutional provisions and the reported violation of Mr. Kalisto Ladu’s rights, the SSCSF calls for immediate action to ensure due process is followed. It is imperative that authorities adhere to legal procedures and respect the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Any deviation from these principles undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in the security and justice system,” the statement further read.
The forum called upon relevant authorities to investigate Mr. Kalisto Ladu’s arrest thoroughly, disclose his whereabouts, and provide him with access to legal representation. “Upholding due process is essential to safeguarding individual liberties and maintaining a just society based on the rule of law,” the civil society forum said.
The forum urged the authorities holding Mr. Kalisto Ladu to take immediate action consistent with the legal framework of South Sudan.
The forum echoed its call for the ‘Immediate release’ of Mr. Kalisto Ladu. “in the absence of any legal justification for his detention; or Transfer him to police custody. If there are legal grounds to press charge (s) upon Mr. Kalisto Ladu, he must be transferred to the lawful custody of the police. Following established legal procedures, he must then be presented before a competent court within 24 hours to determine the legality of his arrest and detention.”
The SSCSF reiterated its firm commitment to upholding human rights and promoting accountability and the rule of law in South Sudan.
“We call on all stakeholders to prioritize adherence to due process and respect for constitutional rights in handling cases of arrest and detention,” the group said.
The youth of Bilinyang Boma of Mangala Payam also added their call for the release of Kalisto Ladu describing the arrest as unlawful, and it expressed concerns about his health in the detention cell.
Bilinyang’s youth leadership called for the immediate release of Kalisto, stoppage of land grabbing, removal of Governor Emmanuel Adil, and relocation of the state’s capital from Juba to Ramciel.
Likewise, the Bari community in all its cross-sections of chiefs, elders, intellectuals, women, and youth condemned in the strongest terms possible the arbitrary arrest of Kalisto Ladu and appealed to President Salva Kiir to direct his security forces to release Kalisto from detention cells and present him before the competent court of law.
According to a letter sent to President Kiir on April 3rd, and forwarded to Golden Times the Chairman of Bari Community Stephen Pitia Lako accused some individuals from Dinka and Nuer communities of forceful occupation backed up by elements of the national army, South Sudan People’s Defence Force [SSPDF].
“Kalisto’s arbitrary arrest relates to his being vocal on behalf of the silent Bari majority on issues of land grabbing and occupation of Bari lands by invaders from Dinka Bor, Dinka from Bahr-el-Ghazal and Nuer orchestrated and designed by senior SSPDF officers,” the letter signed by Stephen Laku read.
Bari community also accused the Minister of Land, Housing, and Urban Development Michael Chanjiek of requesting the police chief to approve for him a force to allegedly forcefully occupy a village in Jebel Lady Payam.
Attempts to reach out to Minister Michael Chanjiek for comment on these allegations were futile during the press time as his phone numbers could not go through.
The Bari Community requested President Kiir to release Kalisto Ladu and relocate the national capital to Ramciel to end the conflict over land in Juba County.
Golden Times | South Sudan
