Five months later and kerbino Wol remains in detention in Juba, without charges
By Benjamin Ring, Cape Town, South Africa
Tuesday, October 02, 2018 (PW) — The 27th of September, 2018, marks exactly five months since the detention of Kerbino Wol, a young South Sudanese entrepreneur, and philanthropist who was arrested in April and has been held without charges by the government authorities in Juba.
Kerbino is a CEO of KASS Security, one of the leading private security firms providing thousands of Jobs for South Sudanese at a time when the country’s economy is at the brink of collapsing. Many families depend on him.
He is also the Founder of Nile Foundation, a charity wing dedicated to giving back to the communities and youth empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, and sports. According to the organization’s website, more than one thousand South Sudanese youth have benefited in the past two years.
Wild rumors suggest that Kerbino was engaged in subversive activities against the Government, a pack of allegations include working with rebels and espionage spook for foreign governments, a narrative that has defeated public understanding. A well-informed person about Juba politics will not be surprised to hear such allegations.
It is common to be charged with rebellion if you are not submissive to top elites or their subordinates. Clearly, this is a smear campaign sponsored by jealous elites in Juba who thrives on the downfall of others. Apparently, his companies were been investigated and nothing has been found.
Straightforward, many people believe that the former Red Army soldier was railroaded and taken down for his business success and rapid rise and influence in the business community.
Efforts from concerned friends and colleagues through media and other lobbying forums has fallen in deaf ears of detaining authorities including the President of the Republic.
Worryingly, unlike most detainees whose communities are persistently exerting great amount of pressure on the government to ensure safe release of their detainees, Kerbino’s own community, Tonj state, which is one of the most influential communities currently in the government, has unanimously remained silent despite the fact community intervention could be more effective since South Sudan has adopted a brutal and tyrannical stance against civil society activism. What is behind such a general silence?
His charity organization, Nile Foundation announced its closing down recently in protest of Kerbino’s long detention. Although Kerbino’s businesses continue to operate normally, the closure of the organization should be a great concern to the government since it will not only send home the employees but the beneficiaries of programs.
It is very clear in my discussions with key people who could help but prefer to shy away from this case because of fear of possible repercussions from the detaining authorities or they just do not care about the man in detention. It is outrageously shocking to see how people are told not to question the detaining authorities. People must ask questions even if someone has committed a murder, let alone someone like Kerbino who has not been charged.
Going forward, Kerbino’s continuous detention is unnecessary because he is a job creator, taxpayer, employer, and investor and above all, he is a good citizen who is committed to social-economic development in South Sudan. He is one of the few exceptional locals trying to compete against powerful exploitative foreign corporations and giants like Warriors (Insights) Security.
Many young people who wish to succeed in life also see Kerbino Wol as an inspiring figure and a role model. He represents a new hope and optimism for those who are determined to live through the economic crisis and civil war.
He must be released in the interest of peace and development; there was no point in signing the peace agreement if those who will contribute in the peace-making process are left to rot in jail cells.
For his name and all those unnamed prisoners, may God be with them.
You can reach the author via his email: Benjamin Ringo <benjaminring279@gmail.com>
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