Author: Diko D. Andrew | Published: 7 hours ago
Map of Ayod County in Jonglei State. (Photo: Eye Radio).
The Commissioner of Ayod County in Jonglei State has apologized to the United States Embassy following accusations that his office detained an aid worker earlier this month.
The U.S. Embassy said the aid worker was detained by the county commissioner after allegedly refusing an illegal demand to hand over assets belonging to a U.S. foreign assistance partner.
Following the incident, the embassy suspended U.S. foreign assistance in the area and announced a review of its aid programs in Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, citing another case of interference by South Sudanese officials.
In a letter dated 15 January 2026, Ayod County Commissioner James Chuol Jiek said the aid worker was neither arrested nor harmed, adding that the motorcycle involved in the incident was released within an hour.
He further stated that individuals responsible for the incident have been detained and will be held accountable.
The county leadership also appealed to the U.S. government to reconsider the suspension of foreign aid, citing the humanitarian needs of Ayod County’s population, which continues to face flooding, communal conflict, and economic hardship.
