The cars of the SPLM DC and SPLM-DC members going to Southerner Sudan and seized in Northern Bahr l El Ghazal were freed today. Thanks to my TV appearance to talk about freedom in the Southern Sudan and complain about the arrest of our members and seizing of our cars and Election materials in Northern Bahr El Ghazal since February 28, 2010. Thanks also to the Sudan TV which organised the programme. The SPLM and Government of the state of Northern Behr El Ghalzal reacted quickly today and my driver, Daudi Abdalla, now tells me they were freed this morning straight. However they had no money or phone to give the information straightaway. Two cars and five people heading for Northern Bahr El Ghazal capital were seized when they entered the boarders of Northern Bahr El Ghazal by security forces answerable to the SPLM and the Government of Souter Sudan.
The SPLM-DC seized cars were also said to have been used by the SPLM for their own Election camping according the detained members. All our material l were dumped on the ground and they took our cars for their Election workers for the last nine days. Also the security forces seized personal properties of the SPLM-DC people and drivers . Even foot wear were seized and the people had been left with only the clothes on them. We just sent our released people some money in order to enable them to buy some food and even sleepers to protect their feet from the hot sun. Further our people say the security forces lashed them daily with 51 strokes until yesterday and all their bodies are soar with pain. All the money on the people was confiscated by the security forces. All their mobile phones were also confiscated. In few a words the people were stripped bare and allowed only the bare minimum to cover their bodies.
The security of the SPLM/GoSS now tell sour people the cars which were seized will now to be released but not before they are delivered first to the Governor’s Security office. One of the cars is completely out of use because of damage and misuse by officials belonging to the SPLM. They say they will give back these cars soon but after what? We had to hire a tower to tow the broken car to Aweil. The one in good condition arrived in Aweil and the broken down one is expected to arrive later tonight.
The SPLM-DC Secretary General condemns the inhuman treatment of our people by the security forces in Southern Sudan. If they want seize election material then seize them without torturing fellow brothers and sisters . We appeal to the NEC, UNMIS and other observers of Elections in Sudan to take account of such seizure of Elections material and people and their torture all of which can already declare Elections in Southern Sudan as not free and fair.
Eng Charles B. Kisanga
Secretary General
SPLM-DC
E-mail contact : cbkisanga@yahoo.co.uk