Concern Grows for South Sudanese Political Pundit Detained in Dubai

The family of South Sudanese political commentator Samuel Peter Oyay, whose writings are often critical of the government, say they are concerned for his safety after his arrest over a month ago in the United Arab Emirates. Oyay was taken from his home in Dubai days after publishing an article in the Netherlands-based media outlet Radio Tamazuj, a popular source of news and commentary on South Sudan. Oyay’s wife, Vivian Johnson, told The Associated Press that she has spoken to her husband only three times since she witnessed his arrest on Sept. 30. The last call on Oct. 25 lasted less than a minute, during which her husband did not disclose his whereabouts, she said. Oyay’s article on Sept. 21 criticized the ongoing trial of opposition figure Riek Machar, who has been suspended from his role as South Sudan’s vice president after authorities charged him with treason and other offenses. The government alleges that Machar and others from his political group incited and aided an attack on a military garrison that authorities say killed at least 250 soldiers in March.