04/05/2026
Amb. Garang Deng Aguer confirms arrest of 59 youths in Jebel Iraq, questions 'Aweil majority'
Former Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Aweil community elder, Garang Deng Aguer, has confirmed the arrest of 59 youths from Jebel Iraq, who are currently being held in Giada.
Speaking after visiting the detained youths, Amb. Deng said he established that 37 of those arrested have since been released, leaving others still in custody.
“I went to see their conditions and understand why they were arrested. I confirmed that a total of 59 youths were apprehended, with 22 now released,” he said.
He dismissed reports that any of the youths had been transferred to Nasir, clarifying that all remain within Juba.
Amb. Deng raised concerns over the circumstances of the arrests, particularly questioning why the majority of those detained are from the Aweil community.
“I asked them why they were arrested. They said it was alleged they were fighting among themselves. I then questioned with whom, and why most of them come from Aweil,” he stated.
According to him, the remaining detainees are largely those whose parents or guardians have not yet reported to authorities. He added that their release may depend on the appearance of family members or directives from the Chief of Defence Forces whom had been alleged to have ordered the arrest.
Amb. Deng urged members of the Aweil community to remain calm, assuring them that community leaders are following up the matter with the relevant authorities and will seek clarity on the reasons behind the arrests.
