Juba crisis: Four of South Sudan’s ex-Ministers arrested

National security forces have arrested at least four former Ministers in the national capital of South Sudan, sources told Radio Tamazuj.Gier Chuang, a former Minister of interior and later roads and bridges, was taken from his home this morning.Oyai Deng Ajak, former Minister of national security, is likewise reported to have been arrested, as well as Alfred Lado Goro, former Minister of environment.Cirino Hiteng, former minsiter of culture, is the fourth to have been arrested.  Former Deputy Minister of Defense Majak d’Agoot has also been notified that he will be placed under arrest.D’Agoot has been asked to leave his house but he refused. He was visited by the Minister of National Security, but he still declined to comply.It is unclear where these top politicians are being detained, whether at Bilpam military headquarters or elsewhere, or whether they have been removed from the city.Over the weekend internal opposition within the SPLM came to a crisis when members of the leadership walked out of the National Liberation Council meeting or were refused to attend. Heavy fighting in Juba broke out in the night and morning hours but subsided by afternoon. The number of casualties has not yet been established.File photo: Majak D’ Agoot, South Sudan’s Deputy Defence Minister speaking at the launch of The Sudd research Institute in Juba on May 12 (ST)