Isaiah Akol Mathiang, the Deputy Governor of South Sudan’s Lakes State, has been arrested following his public condemnation of recent military actions in Nasir County.
According to sources, Akol was detained after issuing a press release criticizing the aerial bombardments conducted by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in Nasir.
The conflict in Nasir County has escalated tensions in the region. On March 17, 2025, airstrikes targeting Nasir resulted in at least 21 civilian deaths, including two children, and caused significant fires in the area. These bombings were part of a series of military operations against the White Army militia, which had previously attacked a SSPDF garrison and a UN helicopter, leading to casualties.
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