South Sudan opposition group threatens Kenya to stop deporting its members

South Sudanese opposition group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by former Vice President Riek Machar is not happy with Kenya for the detention and deportation of some of its members.

Kenya arrested and deported the spokesperson of Machar, James Gatdet Dak last year, and recently, Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idris who have been detained by Kenyan authorities and risk being deported.

The acting governor of the Bieh State and top opposition figure, Brigadier General Koang Rambang Chol has ordered opposition forces not to allow Kenyan nationals to leave the newly-created state because of Kenya’s actions, local media Sudan Tribune reported.

“I am ordering all security organs, including military intelligence not to allow Kenyan citizens, including those working in the humanitarian organizations to leave Bieh state territory until further directive from my office,” he was quoted by the paper.

“If Dong Samuel is deported to Juba, I am afraid Kenya government would have hit the last nail on the coffin,” he added.

Human Rights Watch has also called on the Kenyan government to release Dong Samuel who is a lawyer and human rights advocate.

“Dong Samuel Luak has been a vocal advocate for human rights in South Sudan for many years, and could face serious mistreatment if returned to South Sudan,” the deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch, Leslie Lefkow said in a statement on Tuesday.

James Gatdet Dak is currently being held by South Sudanese forces since he was dropped off in South Sudan despite an appeal by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nairobi against the action.

The reason for the arrest and deportation of South Sudanese opposition figures by Kenyan authorities has not been disclosed, but it is reported that the operation is carried out together with the South Sudanese government.