Legal Team Warns Former South Sudan Vice President Bol Mel At Risk Of Death In Custody

Lawyers for former South Sudan VP Benjamin Bol Mel demand his release after 120 days of detention, citing critical health risks and constitutional violations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 6:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Sudans Post

Arbitrary Detention Sparks Urgent Legal Petition in Juba

The legal representatives of former South Sudanese Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel have escalated their efforts to secure his release, citing a critical decline in his physical well being. In a formal petition submitted to the Ministry of Justice on March 6, 2026, advocate Kiir Chol detailed a harrowing account of Bol Mel’s 120 day detention. The filing asserts that the former high ranking official has been held without charges or judicial oversight since his arrest in November 2025. This prolonged period of isolation has reportedly left Bol Mel seriously ill, with his lawyers warning of irreparable damage or death if the government does not provide immediate medical intervention or legal recourse.

Constitutional Violations and Allegations of State Misconduct

According to the petition, the detention of Bol Mel represents a systemic failure to adhere to the fundamental rights enshrined in South Sudan’s 2011 transitional constitution. The legal team argues that the state has bypassed essential protections, including the right to personal liberty and freedom from inhuman treatment. Under current South Sudanese law, detention without charge is restricted to a 72 hour window unless specifically authorized by a court of law. By exceeding this limit by nearly four months, the respondent agencies are accused of an egregious abuse of power that undermines the nation’s commitment to the rule of law and due process.

Seizure of Assets and Denial of Counsel

The legal challenge also highlights the unauthorized confiscation of Bol Mel’s private property, including residential houses and vehicles. Lawyers allege that these seizures were carried out by government servants without any valid court order, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding his arrest. Throughout his time in custody, Bol Mel has reportedly been denied any form of contact with his family or legal counsel, a move that his advocates claim is designed to stifle his defense. The petition demands that the Minister of Justice either produce the former Vice President before a competent court with evidence or grant him immediate access to independent medical professionals and his legal team.