A Catholic priest was allegedly assaulted by government soldiers in Lakes State’s Rumbek East County on Sunday, in an incident that has drawn condemnation from church leaders and civil society activists.
Rev. Fr. Stephen Mangar Machar, a parish priest at Pacong Mission under the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek, said he was physically attacked by soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), while traveling to Thonaduel.
Fr. Mangar told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the soldiers wrestled him to the ground and struck him on the face, neck, and arms, leaving him injured. He said the assault occurred in the presence of a sergeant who failed to intervene.
“I was going to Thonaduel to visit a bishop when I encountered soldiers from the Mabor-duong military barracks in Bahr el Naam,” he said. “They stopped me and began hurling insults, calling me a criminal because I was wearing a cloth face mask.”
Fr. Mangar said the soldiers questioned what he was carrying, and when he explained he had maize with him, they continued to verbally abuse him.
“I asked them why they were calling me a criminal when I had done nothing wrong. I told them I am a priest,” he said.
According to the priest, the soldiers began fighting over his cloth face mask, with multiple soldiers attempting to take it from him.
“I told them, ‘If you want the face mask, just ask, and I’ll give it to you,’” Fr. Mangar recalled. “But you cannot take someone’s property by force.”
Despite this, the soldiers reportedly continued to harass him and boarded a military vehicle while still verbally abusing him. Fr. Mangar followed them to the market in Rumbek East headquarters and approached the sergeant major in charge.
“I told him, ‘You are their leader, and they have been abusing me. What have I done wrong?’” Fr. Mangar said. “Instead of addressing the issue, the sergeant told them to ‘take me up’.”
He said the soldiers then attempted to forcibly load him onto the truck. “As I tried to cooperate and board the vehicle myself, they let go, and I fell hard to the ground,” he said. “While I was down, one soldier slapped me on the neck.”
Bystanders, including another priest and a doctor who recognized him, reportedly intervened and told the soldiers to stop. Fr. Mangar was eventually rescued by civilians at the scene.
Following the incident, the priest returned to Pacong and reported the assault to Tiger Barracks, but was told the soldiers involved were not from that unit.
“I was informed the soldiers were from Division 12, under the command of the state governor,” he said.
Fr. Mangar said he sustained injuries to his hand and neck and is currently receiving treatment. “I’m still in pain and heading to Rumbek State Hospital for further medical check-up,” he said.
Rumbek East County Commissioner Malual Anyuon confirmed the assault and said the soldiers involved have been arrested and are being detained at Mabor-duong military barracks pending investigation.
“The incident occurred when the soldiers tried to take his face mask cap,” Anyuon said. “People like priests, doctors, and NGO workers should not be subjected to such treatment.”
Daniel Laat Kon, a civil society activist with the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), condemned the incident.
“It is very unfortunate that soldiers attacked a man of God,” Kon said. “We urge the authorities at the county level to ensure this matter goes to court and those responsible are held accountable.”
He emphasized that even if a priest is accused of wrongdoing, the matter should be handled through legal channels, not violence.
“We call for a full investigation and justice for the victim,” he said.