Save the Children country director released after six days in custody in Juba

Save the Children’s Country Director in South Sudan has been released from government custody without charge, a week after being detained in Juba, the international humanitarian organisation has confirmed to Eye Radio.

In an email response to questions from Wol Mapal, Ezibon Saadalla Khamis, Media and Communication Manager at Save the Children, said the organisation welcomed the director’s release but noted that the circumstances surrounding his detention remained unclear.

“We are relieved that our Country Director in South Sudan, who was detained in Juba on 8 October and held in government custody, was released yesterday with no charges laid,” Khamis said.

“It remains unclear why he was detained,” he added.

The director was detained on October 8 and held in government custody before being released on October 14, according to the organisation’s response.

Save the Children has not, in the email provided to Wol Mapal, disclosed further details about the circumstances of the detention or indicated whether authorities had formally explained the reasons for holding the director.

The incident raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the detention of a senior official of an international humanitarian organisation operating in South Sudan.

Save the Children is an international humanitarian organisation that works to protect children’s rights and provides assistance to children and families affected by conflict, displacement, poverty and other emergencies.