Sixty-six inmates at the Abyei prison attempted a jail break on Sunday in protest of the delayed arrival of the judge assigned to Abyei, information minister of Abyei Special Administrative Area told Classic FM.

Yohana Akol Ngor stated that the prisoners complained about the halted trial proceedings due to the judge’s absence.

“On Sunday we had a general protest in the Abyei prison over the delay of the judge assigned to Abyei area. But the administration of the prison managed the situation with wisdom and controlled the situation; because 66 prisoners protested to an extent of breaking the gates of the jail,” said Ngor. 

He confirmed that the judge is expected to arrive in Abyei within two days.

According to Ngor, the previous judge in Abyei was transferred to Maban County during the recent judiciary changes. 

“The Prisoners complained that their trials delay due to the absence of the judge. The judge delayed because of the changes [in the judiciary] because the former judge was transferred to Malakal particularly while the judge assigned for us will come after two days,” he explained. 

The minister also explained that the jail gates were broken by hand, primarily by the youth among the prisoners. 

However, he clarified that the prison fence remained intact and prevented any escapes.

“The fence is big, strong and long that prevents a person from climbing. We also have presence of prison forces and UNISFA  [UN forces] around the prison. Therefore after the prisoners broke the gates of the jail they could not escape because of the fence and the police and prison administration dealt with them, and returned them inside,” Ngor stated.