JUBA – A Member of the Lakes State Legislative Assembly, Matur Dongrin Kachuol, has reportedly been arrested and detained by Military Intelligence officers in Cueibet County in South Sudan’s Lakes State, sparking outrage among fellow lawmakers and opposition representatives.
According to Juol Nhomngek Daniel, the Member of Parliament representing Cueibet County, Kachuol—who represents Malou Pec Constituency on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)—was arrested on Saturday, October 19, by an officer only identified as Pancuol, the head of Military Intelligence in Cueibet County.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Juol said Kachuol is currently being held at “Cell One” inside Kar Military Barracks in Cueibet, where he is allegedly undergoing torture. “Since his arrest, Hon. Matur has experienced unbearable torture on accusations that he is supporting the SPLM-IO,” Juol claimed in a statement extended to Sudans Post.
The Cueibet lawmaker said Kachuol’s arrest followed a Facebook post in which he criticized restrictions on free speech in South Sudan. Writing under the name Chok-path Yar Majak, Kachuol had stated: “Every citizen is constitutionally mandated to speak about the affairs of their country. It’s only in South Sudan where you need permission to speak about your pain.”
Juol suggested that the Facebook post and ongoing tensions between the SPLM-IO and the Lakes State government may have prompted the arrest, accusing state authorities of systematically persecuting opposition officials.
“This arbitrary detention is part of a wider crackdown on SPLM-IO members that began earlier this year with the arrest and indefinite detention of the Deputy Governor and other SPLM-IO officials in April 2025,” Juol said.
The MP further accused the Lakes State Executive of violating the Constitution and international human rights standards to which South Sudan is a signatory.
“The State authorities continue to deprive citizens of their liberty and fundamental rights, intimidate political opponents, and use concocted criminal charges to silence dissenting voices,” he added.
Juol called on the Lakes State government to immediately release Kachuol or bring him before a competent court of law. He urged authorities to respect due process, ensure detainees have access to lawyers, family members, and medical care, and end the practice of incommunicado detention.
“The Lakes State government must refrain from using politically motivated charges such as rebellion or treason and should comply with the Constitution and international norms,” Juol emphasized.
As of publication, the Lakes State authorities and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) command in Cueibet had not issued any official statement regarding the arrest or the allegations of torture.
