Kon Ally Appeals to Kiir Over Travel Block as Airport Account Needs Clarification
An announcement dated 14 October from an office identifying itself as the information secretary to Kornelio Kon Ngu appeals to President Salva Kiir to guarantee Kon’s freedom of movement and equal political space. It says Kon was blocked while travelling for a family funeral and calls the act politically motivated. That motive is the author’s assertion; no official order or explanation has been produced.
Location discrepancy: The announcement says Kon was blocked “upon arrival at Wau Airport.” Kon’s own account and his alliance spokesperson’s account, reported on 13 October, place the intervention at Juba International Airport before boarding a domestic flight to Wau. We have asked the statement’s author to clarify the wording and have not verified that Kon reached Wau.
The appeal also refers to an overseas travel permission requirement for senior officials. Kon’s reported trip was domestic, and he said he did not hold a government office. The foreign-travel measure does not, by itself, explain the reported airport intervention.
Candidate status and official response
The announcement calls Kon a presidential candidate. A separate 8 October statement claimed he had withdrawn, but Kon rejected that claim the same day and said he remained in the race. South Sudan Press previously treated the claimed withdrawal as settled and has corrected its 13 October report and Wednesday front page. His formal electoral status should ultimately be checked with the National Elections Commission.
Kon told Radio Tamazuj security officers stopped him at Juba airport after he obtained a boarding pass and instructed him to seek permission from the president’s office. Airport security, the National Security Service and the presidency have not publicly supplied a written reason in the reports reviewed. The claim of presidential involvement remains unverified.
The presidency and security authorities should explain whether Kon is subject to any lawful restriction, who issued it, and how he can contest it. The alliance should provide the flight ticket, boarding pass and the identity of the appeal’s signatory, and clarify whether the reference to Wau Airport was a drafting error.