Govt wants justice for Malawian imprisoned in South Sudan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says it is keeping an eye on the situation of a Malawian currently jailed at Juba Central Prison in South Sudan following allegations of torture.
In an e-mail response, the ministry’s spokesperson Rejoice Shumba said the ministry has also written the South Sudanese government, demanding justice on the matter.
She said: “The Government of the Republic of Malawi has been in touch with the Government of South Sudan using diplomatic channels from the time the suspect was arrested. Every case is unique and so are judicial systems across the world.
“With respect to South Sudan, the ministry has been monitoring the situation and engaging with the South Sudanese government.”
In November last year, Nation on Sunday revealed that a Malawian (name withheld) in South Sudan, who at the time had been in prison for over a year without trial, was allegedly being tortured by that country’s National Security Agency (NSS).
The Malawian citizen is accused of misappropriating money amounting to about $730 000 (about K500 million) for Trinity Oil, a company he worked for as financial controller. He denies the charges.
In our earlier story, the suspect, his lawyer and Amnesty International (AI) confirmed about allegations of torture.
“Throughout the time the suspect has spent in the custody of the NSS, he has reportedly been subjected to beatings,” said AI southern Africa campaigner Vongai Chikwanda.
“AI is especially concerned about the role of the NSS, whose use of torture and other ill-treatment against detainees has been well documented by AI and other organisations.”
On October 10 2019, AI wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, requesting the Malawi Government to engage the South Sudan Government in the case.
On March 13 2019, AI also wrote to South Sudan’s Minister of Justice calling for his intervention to ensure that the suspect is brought to court to determine the legality of his continued detention.
Shumba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila were coy to respond to our questions on what Malawi Government has done so far on the allegations of torture. But Kasaila told Zodiak Broadcasting Station a few days ago that they have written the South Sudanese Government which is yet to respond.
He told the radio: “When we were told about the issue, we followed up to find out about the allegations and our legal team in the ministry is also following up on the same.
“We have written a note to the Government of South Sudan, requesting them to speed up the judicial process. What we are demanding is that he should be given a fair trial so that the truth should be known.”
The minister, according to our source, has also been in touch with family members and has assured them of government’s support.
“The minister said he will follow up with the South Sudanese Government and where it does not work, he will seek the indulgence of the State President [Peter Mutharika] to call his South Sudanese counterpart.
“He is personally concerned that the matter has taken this long without trial. We look forward to their support otherwise its traumatising to have him in prison this long without trial,” lamented a family member who opted for anonymity.
Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance is currently looking at the files for a possible intervention on the matter, according to the organisation’s deputy director Chikondi Chijozi.
This matter has also been reported to the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Development Programme particularly because of allegations of torture which are against international human rights standards.
