Seven teachers in Melut County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, were detained by the National Security Service on Tuesday afternoon. The teachers, who are among hundreds of educators claiming unpaid salaries since 2024, had reportedly gone to the county commissioner's office to demand payment. The detainees are Ariath Ariath, Matiok Miakol, Albino, Paul James, Atem Mijok, Ajak Maluk, and Peter Aluong Deng.
According to a teacher who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, the seven teachers were arrested at around 4 pm on Tuesday. The teacher alleged that the county commissioner had ordered the arrests after the educators went to demand payment of their salary arrears. The teacher also claimed that further arrests were being carried out and appealed to the national government to intervene.
The unpaid salaries date back to 2024, when the teachers were contracted by the county under its 3% share of oil revenues. Since then, teachers have staged several protests and school closures to pressure the authorities to pay the arrears. In January, they reportedly shut down the county commissioner's office as part of their campaign.
Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, chair of the National Civil Society Coalition, called for the teachers' release. He stated that his organization had communicated with colleagues on the ground, who confirmed the arrest of four teachers. According to Bol, the detainees are being held by the NSS, and civil society representatives have been unable to access them.
Wai Akol, the county education director, confirmed that teachers had been arrested but did not provide details. He acknowledged that several teachers had gone unpaid for years, describing the issue as a wider problem. However, he stated that the teachers should not have gone to the commissioner's office without informing the authorities.
The authorities have not explained the reason for the arrests or said whether the arrested teachers have been charged. The county education director stated that he had not been officially informed about the incident, learning about it through hearsay.
The incident highlights the ongoing struggles of teachers in Melut County, who have been demanding payment of their outstanding salaries for years. The national government has been urged to intervene and secure the teachers' release and payment of their arrears.
Key points
- The teachers were detained by the National Security Service for demanding unpaid salaries.
- The unpaid salaries date back to 2024, when the teachers were contracted by the county under its 3% share of oil revenues.
- The incident highlights the ongoing struggles of teachers in Melut County, who have been demanding payment of their outstanding salaries for years.
