RUMBEK, South Sudan — South Sudan’s National Security Service detained four Rumbek University of Science and Technology lecturers Saturday following a recent standoff between faculty and administrators, university sources confirmed, May 10, 2025.

The detained lecturers are Makur Awan Maguang, dean of student affairs; Khot Manyuon Thuc, lecturer and head of the business administration department; Joseph Muong, head of the geography department; and Emmanuel Rundial, acting head of the history department. Their arrest came a day after the university’s academic staff association demanded the removal of the institution’s top leadership during a general assembly meeting, citing administrative incompetence and salary delays.

A lecturer, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal, said the four were initially expected to be held at Rock City Military Barracks but were later transferred to a National Security facility in Rumbek.

“The cause of the arrest is unknown. What we know is that the vice chancellor and his team met with the governor,” the source said.

The university’s vice chancellor, Professor Joshua Otor Akol, said he was unaware of the arrests. “I don’t know if they are arrest[ed], let me first find out about that,” he told Sudans Post.

Khot, one of the detained lecturers, had also been suspended from his role as acting chairperson of the academic staff association on May 8, by order of the vice chancellor.

Daniel Laat, the Lakes State coordinator for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, called the arrests “an unfortunate situation” and urged government intervention.

“Dialogue would have been a better solution,” Laat said. “Holding the lecturers for too long will escalate the situation.”

State Minister of Information and Communication William Koji Kerjok declined to comment, saying the matter was of national security jurisdiction.

The staff association accused university leaders of harassment, mismanagement of accommodations, and failing to pay salaries on time.