12/11/2025
Breaking: Family of Influencer Amath Jok Appeals to International Community Over Alleged Kidnapping and Detention
Juba, South Sudan – November 11, 2025
The family of popular South Sudanese comedian and social media influencer Amath Jook is preparing to write letters to several international bodies and Western embassies, including those of the United States and United Kingdom, to seek urgent intervention for her release after reports of her alleged arrest and kidnapping by security agents.
According to sources close to the family, Amath was taken by men believed to be members of the National Security Service (NSS) from her residence in Juba earlier this week. Her current whereabouts remain unknown, with unconfirmed reports suggesting she may have been detained at the “Blue House”, a notorious detention center known for holding political prisoners and individuals critical of the government.
The incident has sparked outrage online and among human rights advocates who are calling for her immediate release.
Background of the Arrest
Amath Jook’s detention reportedly followed her controversial comments about President Salva Kiir, whom she referred to as “the big thief with a black hat” in a recent social media video. The statement came as she attempted to defend Vice President Dr. Bol Mel, who has recently become the subject of intense online criticism—particularly from Akuac Wol, another outspoken social media personality known for targeting political figures.
Both Amath Jook and Vice President Bol Mel hail from Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, a region that has recently become a focal point of internal political rivalry within the ruling SPLM elite. Analysts say Amath’s defense of Bol Mel might have angered individuals close to the president’s family, especially as tensions grow between President Kiir’s loyalists and supporters of Bol Mel, who is seen as a potential challenger within the political establishment.
Family Accuses Presidential Associates
The family of Amath Jook has accused Akuac Wol of having a hand in the incident, claiming that she may have acted with the help of Adut Salva Kiir, the president’s daughter and current Special Envoy of the President. Akuac Wol is rumored to have close ties to the presidential office and has allegedly been operating with informal influence over certain security elements.
Family members expressed fear that Amath’s arrest was not officially sanctioned, and may have been carried out by individuals acting outside formal legal frameworks. “If this arrest wasn’t ordered through proper legal channels, then it’s an act of abduction,” one family member said anonymously. “We fear for her safety.”
Calls for Accountability and Immediate Release
The family has called on President Kiir’s office to intervene directly, emphasizing that criticizing government officials is not a crime under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution. They argue that Amath’s arrest violates her right to free speech and warn that the situation could escalate if she is not located and released soon.
“Even if she insulted the president, that doesn’t justify an abduction,” said another relative. “We just want to know where she is. If she’s at the Blue House, she must be released immediately.”
The family of Amath also sent a request to the Vice President Bol Mel to help find and return her home safely.
This is not the first time Amath Jook has faced detention for her outspoken commentary. In 2023, she was briefly arrested for online criticism of government corruption and later released without charge.
“I once told Amath that she was putting herself in serious danger by staying in Juba while openly criticizing the ruling elites,” said Martin, who requested his full name be withheld for safety reasons. “I advised her to relocate to East Africa or seek asylum in Europe, but she refused. She told me, ‘This is my country. I won’t run away or give it up to anyone. If they want to kill me, let them kill me''
Rising Concerns Over Freedom of Expression
Amath’s case adds to a growing list of incidents highlighting the shrinking space for freedom of expression in South Sudan. Activists and journalists have repeatedly warned of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and threats targeting those who criticize the ruling elite.
Human rights groups are expected to issue formal statements in the coming days as the story gains attention across the region.
Amath Jook’s family continues to plead for transparency and justice, urging both domestic authorities and international partners to ensure her safety and secure her release.
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