22/09/2022
The Authority in Unity State is Using Fear and Intimidation as a Tactic to Silence the People.
People of Unity State have lost their patience with their governor Nguen Manytuil , a man they accused of corruption, promotion of division and violation of human rights.
Like all states in the country, Bentiu is not known for freedom of speech. But some courageous individuals who had enough decided to act and express their feelings and what they think about the governor and his supporters. Most of those who are against the governor live in the IDP camp which is run by UNMISS. But there is no place in Bentiu outreach of the governor ‘s long hands, including UNMISS camp. The man is very resourceful when it comes to dealing with people who are against him.
Early this month, four outspoken young men who called for the removal of the governor were kidnapped in the dead of the night at their homes in the camp by a group of soldiers. It is believed that the soldiers were sent by the governor to do the job for him . A week later, the four young men were released from captivity after going through harsh torture. Their families had to rush them to hospital as they were in bad conditions.
Nguen was popular in Bentiu until the civil war broke out. During the war , he mobilised Mayom youths and armed them to the teeth so they could help with the fight against the opposition forces. The youth unit is called Ter Cuong, or Fighters of Truth in English. As a mobilisation tactic, Nguen convinced Mayom youth that the war was caused by Taban Deng and Riek Machar because they didn’t want Bentiu to be governed by someone who hailed from Mayom county as these two men deeply hated Bull Nuer.
As the war intensified in Bentiu in 2015, the opposition force was weakened by desertion and poor logistics. Backed up by tanks, heavy artilleries and barges from military units, Ter Cuong or Mayom youth unit carried out a terror to areas populated by civilians they believed supported Taban and Riek Machar. Their commander , Mathew Puoljang Top, told them to take anything they deemed valuable, including young girls. They attacked many towns and villages in Bentiu, indiscriminately killing unarmed civilians and making away with cattle and young girls. Wherever they passed, they left behind horrible scenes that haunted lucky survivors for the rest of their lives.
