Save the Children Director Released Without Charge After Juba Detention
Save the Children says its South Sudan country director, Chris Nyamandi, was released from government custody on Tuesday, 13 October, after being detained in Juba since 8 October. The organisation said no charges were laid. It has not been given an explanation for his detention, according to its statement reported by Radio Tamazuj.
Nyamandi’s release ends the immediate detention. It leaves unanswered who ordered it, under what legal authority, whether he could contact counsel and whether it affected the organisation’s staff or programmes. Authorities have not publicly supplied a reason or announced a charge. Reports that the detention stemmed from a political conversation have not been verified and should not be stated as fact.
Questions for authorities
The National Security Service and government should explain the legal basis, place and conditions of custody, and whether any investigation remains open. Aid agencies should be able to operate under clear and reviewable rules. Save the Children should be asked whether field operations, staff movement or service delivery were disrupted, without putting local staff or beneficiaries at risk.