The family of a detained activist in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State say they are disappointed that a promise to secure his release has not been fulfilled.
Dut Kuot Akok was arrested in Aweil earlier this year following social media commentaries critical of Governor Simon Ober Mawut. The posts accused the governor of failures in controlling deadly protests, corruption, and mismanagement.
Local observers say Akok spent 21 days in initial custody without investigation. In February, he was convicted of defamation and sentenced to 15 months in Aweil Central Prison.
His relative, Kuol Nyeng Kuol, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that appeals from the family, community leaders, local MPs, and youth groups had been ignored.
“We have tried our level best… but the governor didn’t do anything,” Kuol said. He added that the governor had promised to pardon Akok during a community meeting in Juba in April.
The state’s acting minister of information, Bol Akuar Gamar, said a pardon remained possible but was conditional.
“The governor has promised to free Dut Kuot… only if Dut Kuot decides to issue an apology to the governor,” Gamar said. He stated that the activist and his supporters had continued their criticism.
Peter Diing Ngong, of the civil society group WADA-SSD, has called on the state government to reconsider.
“We are still appealing for his release,” Diing said. “Any attempt to undermine our voices… is impossible.”
Governor Simon Ober Mawut could not be reached for immediate comment.
In South Sudan, defamation is a criminal offence, punishable by fines or imprisonment. Media advocates and rights groups have frequently criticised the use of criminal defamation to detain journalists and activists, arguing they stifle free speech and dissent.