Family of former VP Bol Mel appeals for his release

The family of former South Sudan Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel has appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to release him from house arrest, saying the country needs peace, unity and reconciliation.

Bol Mel was appointed vice-president for the Economic Cluster in February 2025. He was later appointed First Deputy Chairman of the ruling SPLM and promoted to the rank of full general in the National Security Service before President Kiir dismissed him from those positions in November 2025.

President Kiir removed Bol Mel from the vice-presidency and his other positions on 12 November 2025. He was subsequently placed under house arrest at his residence in Juba.

He was widely seen as a potential successor to President Kiir before his dismissal.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, a close relative, Deng Gau, called on President Kiir to release Bol Mel, saying South Sudan needs peace, unity and reconciliation.

“On behalf of the family, I am calling upon His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, to release former Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel because, as a family, we believe that the president always likes peace. At this time, South Sudan needs unity, peace and reconciliation,” Gau said.

Gau said the family believes there was no reason for Bol Mel’s prolonged detention. He said that if the former vice-president had committed an offence, he should be taken to court to defend himself.

“He has been detained by the government and accused of making false accusations, but if the government believes that he has done something, he should be taken to court or released immediately,” he said.

Gau said Bol Mel is being held at his home in the Jebel residential area of Juba and that most members of his family are not allowed to visit him.

“He has been detained at his own house in the Jebel residential area in Juba City, and we are not allowed to see him. We have tried several times to see him, but government soldiers would not allow anybody to see him,” he said.

He added that only a few members of Bol Mel’s family had been allowed to visit him.

Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the appeal by Bol Mel’s family.