Machar’s bodyguard allegedly denied medical care in military detention

JUBA — A close aide to South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has allegedly been denied access to medical treatment while in military detention in Juba, according to Machar’s media aide.

Puok Both Baluang, Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President, said Brig. Gen. Kuok Dang Yiel’s health has deteriorated while in custody, alleging that the detention authorities have repeatedly failed to provide him with the medical care he requires despite numerous requests.

“We have learned with profound concern that Brigadier General Kuok Dang Yiel is critically ill and has been deliberately denied access to essential medical care,” Baluang said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Thursday.

He said Brig. Gen. Kuok Dang Yiel is among the commanders assigned to the First Vice President’s security detail who were arbitrarily arrested in March 2025 following the incident at the Nasir military garrison.

“He has been unlawfully detained at the Military Intelligence maximum detention center in the Ground Forces barracks in Juba, commonly known as Jamus. He remains imprisoned alongside his colleagues: Brig. Gen. Mark Didi Yoah, Brig. Gen. Par Dang Yuot and Maj. Hoth Chiok.”

Baluang alleged that the detained soldiers affiliated with Machar have been subjected to harsh conditions and inhumane treatment at the Jamus Ground military detention facility.

“Notably, they were excluded from the September 2025 release of Dr. Machar’s bodyguards and have similarly been left out of the current politically and tribally motivated trial.”

He claimed that the continued denial of medical treatment and the arbitrary detention of the officers constitute violations of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

According to him, these international legal frameworks guarantee the right to health, humane treatment, and protection from arbitrary arrest and detention.

“We, therefore, call for the immediate and unconditional release of Brigadier General Kuok Dang Yiel and his detained colleagues so they can receive urgent, life-saving medical attention,” he said.

“We further demand the immediate release of all SPLM/A (IO) members—including those currently facing politically and tribally motivated charges in Juba—as well as all other political prisoners unlawfully held across the country.”

On September 24, 2025, seventy-two bodyguards of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar were released from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) detention facility at Giada in Juba after spending 178 days in custody.

‎The development was confirmed by Nyenagwek Manayom, executive director in Dr. Machar’s office, who said the guards had been held since March this year.

‎According to Nyenagwek, one of the detainees, Luka Gathok, died while in custody.

‎Out of those released, 22 are currently receiving treatment at Juba Teaching Hospital, highlighting concerns over the conditions of their detention.

‎Despite the release, four of Machar’s senior bodyguards remain in custody. They have been identified as Mark Diu Yoah, Par Dang Yuot, Kuok Dang Yiel, and Hoth Chiok