By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
Aweil Intellectual Network (AIN) has accused Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Tong Akeen Ngor of harassment, intimidation and silencing youth voices within his State.
This came after the recent released statement alleging shut down of Aweil Intellectual Network (AIN) hub.
“AIN has been arbitrarily and forcefully stormed and shut down this morning by security apparatus, this is following a long term plan from the State government led by Tong Akeen, who opts toward inflicting fear and harassment on youth,” the statement issued by the network reads partly.
Speaking to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, the Chairperson of AIN Aher Mabior said, “It happened that yesterday the security apparatus came to our place and told us to pack our things and invaded our place, and when an individual comes they tell them to go, and stop them from staying there (hub).”
He said the closing of AIN hub is meant to disperse the youth, silence them and warn anyone who may have the idea to ask something about the way in which the State is being governed in future,”
“There are things that affect the Community and government does not response to them and if we are to say this is not going well then we are being termed or given names and we will be seen like we are against the government but our organization is not a political organization or it does not discuss about individuals, and doesn’t discuss about the government, we only brainstorm on how we can help our community,” he stressed.
AIN is a registered community-based youth organization that reportedly advocates for peace and unity among intellectuals in Awiel.
The organization also said they also response to emergences that happen to the communities and further advocates for environmental activities.
Meanwhile No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper efforts to contact State government for respond to the allegations were not immediately successful by press time.
Several call attempts to reach the State Information Minister of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and the governor’s press office for comments were all in vain.