BOR, South Sudan – September 2, 2025 – Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan and Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, faces alleged threats from the Jonglei State government after a now-deleted statement from the Governor’s Press Unit warned him for unspecified reasons on August 31, 2025, sparking public outcry.

The statement, issued by an official from Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok’s media team, was removed following backlash, but has raised concerns about shrinking civic space and freedom of expression in the region.

INTREPID South Sudan condemned the intimidation in a September 1 statement, urging the governor to protect media independence, freedom of assembly, and association as pillars of democratic governance.

Bol, a vocal critic of state policies, including new administrative units, believes the warning aims to silence his advocacy for better governance.

The state’s press secretary denied official involvement, claiming the statement came from an unauthorized source.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges for South Sudan’s civil society, with activists calling for greater tolerance and protection of fundamental rights.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan