A senior general in South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has been detained in the capital, family members confirmed Tuesday, in the latest high-profile arrest amid rising internal political tensions.
Maj. Gen. Manasseh Machar Bol, former Director of Security and Coordination at the Ministry of Petroleum, was taken from his home in Jebel suburb, Juba, early Monday morning.
A family member said security vehicles surrounded the residence at dawn.
“The family and the neighbors were shocked,” the relative said. “He was taken into custody without any explanation.”
The arrest follows Bol’s removal from his petroleum ministry post approximately one month ago.
The family suggested the detention may be connected to a wider crackdown targeting individuals from Twic County in Warrap State.
The relative cited increased surveillance and arrests of Twic community members since December, specifically naming William Deng Dut Koor as another person currently in custody.
Bol’s relatives have called on the government to either release the general or produce him before a court of law.
They also urged authorities to address longstanding border disputes involving Twic County.
Career and Influence in Oil Sector
Maj. Gen. Bol is a veteran of South Sudan’s security apparatus and played a key role in the oil sector.
As Director of Security and Coordination at the Ministry of Petroleum, he oversaw security arrangements for major oil consortia, including the Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC), Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC).
In recent years, Bol’s name has surfaced in Juba’s political circles as a potential candidate to lead the powerful NSS Internal Security Bureau — a position long held by Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, who is currently under house arrest.
Beyond his military and government roles, Bol has been associated with private enterprises, including Transco Energy Ltd. and Speed Insurance.
Past Scrutiny and Allegations
Bol’s business interests have previously attracted international attention. The Washington-based investigative group The Sentry alleged that Bol held ownership stakes in companies awarded millions of dollars in petroleum supply contracts and letters of credit.
Both Bol’s legal team and the South Sudanese government have rejected those claims as inaccurate and misattributed.
Bol was not a primary focus of The Sentry’s 2016 report on high-level corruption in South Sudan.
The detention of Maj. Gen. Bol comes amid ongoing political friction, security sector tensions, and economic pressures in South Sudan, where high-profile arrests have become increasingly common in recent months.