Jonglei Governor accused of influencing Save the Children staff detention in Juba
Buony John Kangach, who works as a Finance Officer for the international humanitarian organization, was allegedly detained on 30 May while attending a football match in the South Sudanese capital, according to information provided to by a family source familiar with the matter.
The source said Kangach had just left a sports ground when he was approached and arrested by individuals believed to be members of the National Security Service (NSS).
The source who spoke to anonymously claimed that several vehicles were involved in the operation and that he was subsequently taken to a security detention facility in Juba.
Neither the National Security Service nor other government authorities have publicly confirmed the arrest. was unable to independently verify Kangach’s whereabouts or legal status at the time of publication.
According to the source, Kangach had recently been cooperating with an investigation concerning allegations made against him. The nature of those allegations remains unclear.
The detention has since sparked controversy after accusations emerged linking the case to political rivalries in Jonglei State.
The source told that Governor Gai influenced events leading to Kangach’s arrest, further claiming that Kangach was accused of having links to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
No evidence was provided to substantiate the allegations. The office of Governor Gai had not publicly commented on the matter by the time of publication.
The allegations have fueled concerns among some members of Kangach’s family and community, who fear that the case could deepen political and communal tensions if not handled transparently.
In a statement shared with , the source close to the matter condemned what was described as the politically motivated targeting of relatives and associates of opposition figures, warning that such actions risk undermining trust between communities.
The source also appealed to Save the Children International to engage relevant authorities and seek clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Kangach’s detention.
As of publication, Save the Children International had not issued a public statement on the matter. The National Security Service and officials in Jonglei State are yet to respond to the claim.
sudanspost.com