By Nakwam Rose
Activist Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has voiced opposition against what he calls the ‘sneaky move’ by the Trump administration to deport individuals with ‘barbaric and monstrous’ criminal records directly to South Sudan without prior notice.
Yakani’s concern arose after eight individuals were reportedly deported to South Sudan by the U.S. government this week.
The individuals reportedly carried dreadful criminal records, including charges associated with rape, murder, child rape, and many other serious offenses.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the eight men as Dian Peter Domach of South Sudan, Enrique Arias-Hierro of Cuba, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Quinones of Cuba, Thongxay Nilakout of Laos, Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez of Mexico, Kyaw Mya of Myanmar, Nyo Myint of Myanmar, and Tuan Thanh Phan of Vietnam.
Responding to this, Yakani noted that none of the individuals are identified as either South Sudanese or American citizens.
He questioned both the U.S. and South Sudanese governments for this ‘unnecessary initiative’ of turning South Sudan into a ‘pit of foreign imprisonment.’
The activist also raised suspicions that the two governments might be collaborating to sponsor this ‘feeble move.’
Yakani stressed that such opaque behaviors by the government have been evident for too long, and it is now time for nationals to break the silence and act.
“Is there any arrangement made between Juba and Washington for Juba to become a dumping ground for criminals who have committed high-level crimes in the U.S. to be deported to South Sudan?” he questioned. “We’ve seen these developments for a few months; we have been silent because we have been watching. Now it has reached a peak of no more tolerance for silence about it.”
The executive director condemned the fact that these ‘unwanted individuals’ were sent to South Sudan without any prior notice from Washington authorities.
He emphasized that the depprtees are highly likely to expand their criminality towards innocent South Sudanese civilians.
Furthermore, he stated that he strongly agrees with the decision voiced by the South Sudan National Police Service spokesperson, who ordered the immediate deportation of these dangerous individuals back to the USA, asserting that South Sudan is not a breeding ground for human rights violators from around the world.
“Why should Vietnamese and Belarusian individuals who have committed crimes in the U.S. be deported to South Sudan so that they can commit the crimes they have done there against South Sudanese? Or is South Sudan the land of ‘lesser humans’ that we deserve to receive perpetrators of human rights violations without any transparent explanation, without any arrangement between Juba and Washington?” he noted.
“We need to ensure these individuals do not stay in South Sudan because we will otherwise be receiving criminals from across the globe, deported to South Sudan, and they will commit crimes against us, the South Sudanese.”
The activist appealed to the government to provide updates on its involvement with Washington and to clarify the confusion.
“And to the leadership in Juba, if there is any agreement that was made between Juba and Washington for South Sudan to be a dumping ground for individuals who are in conflict with the law in the U.S., we need an explanation for that, and it needs to be done in a transparent manner. This should be the first and the last. We will not remain silent anymore. We will question this unacceptable act that we strongly condemn,” Yakani addressed.
The human rights activist highlighted his discontent towards the government of South Sudan for entertaining this ‘unrevised protocol’ regarding criminals with high-record offenses.
He assessed that it would be much better if these individuals were South Sudanese rather than foreigners, thus reiterating that they should be deported back.
“We do not want to see criminals of other nationalities who are deported to South Sudan by the U.S. administration or any other government commit crimes against our own citizens. We are not farms to receive criminals to exercise crimes against us. Please, our government, let these nationalities go back to their respective governments,” he stated.
Meanwhile, South Sudan Police spokesperson Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka said on Wednesday that if the deportees are proven not to be South Sudanese, they will be sent to their home countries.
“When they arrive, they will be investigated, the truth will be established, and they will be deported again to their correct country if they are proven that they are not South Sudanese,” The Radio Community quoted.
Enoka assured that South Sudanese authorities would be actively involved in the process of establishing their nationalities.
“When they arrive, I will definitely be at the airport, or one of my staff will be there, we will know. We will inform the media,” he added.