Members of the Sudan People Liberation Movement In Opposition (SPLM-I0) outside the country has accused National security services for confiscating communication devices from Interior Minister Angelina Teny.
According to the statement extended to the media, Pal Mai Deng SPLM-IO Spokesperson claimed that the security organ confiscated communication devices from Angelina Teny, the country’s interior minister and wife of Detained First Vice President Riek Machar.
According to Pal, smartphone, laptop, and internet modem from Angelina Teny, all that belong to Angelina were taken away by the National security organs.
However, efforts to reach the National security services spokesperson David Kumuri to respond to the accusations were not successful.
Angelina Teny, a senior member of Machar’s opposition SPLM-IO party, resides in her husband’s official residence.
“We have learned that South Sudan’s National Security Operatives confiscated phone(s) of Hon. Angelina Teny; Minister of Interior and wife of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, at 2 pm in the afternoon” SPLM-IO Spokesperson said in the statement.
Mai appealed to the National government to ensure protection of the right of opposition leaders.
He urged the peace monitors to intervene in the alleged intervention and restriction on opposition political figures.
On his part the Press Secretary in office of the First Vice President Puok Baluang confirmed the incident adding that the leadership of the SPLM-IO has responded to it and called intervention from peace monitors.
Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Machar; signatories of the 2018 peace deal—have intensified in recent months.
Machar’s party says his arrest and the detention of allies have effectively “abrogated” the peace deal.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has warned the country is “on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict.”
The U.S. and other Western embassies in Juba have urged Kiir to “reverse this action and prevent further escalation.”
South Sudan’s government has not responded to international calls to release detained SPLM-IO officials, including Machar, or to resume dialogue to ease tensions.