JUBA
Nyanaguek Kuol, former information minister of South Sudan's northern Warrap State, has condemned government "phone-tapping" of citizens without judicial permission.
Kuol told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that she demanded accountability for anyone found violating the constitution and citizens' rights, including the national security apparatus.
On Sunday, Kuol tendered her resignation after she was confronted by Akol Koor Kuc, head of South Sudan's internal security authority, with a recording of a phone conversation she had last December with former minister Deng Alor.
Alor was extradited to Kenya, along with other officials accused of taking part in a failed "military coup" against President Salva Kiir.
Kual said that Kuc had informed her that Kiir was displeased with the phone call and no longer wanted her to serve in his government.
In the phone call, Kual discussed with Alor an earlier speech by Kiir, along with some comments critical of Kiir circulating on news websites at the time.
She said that she had spoken with Kiir personally following the incident, claiming that the South Sudanese president had told her that he had listened to the phone call but had been unfazed by it.
Based on the phone call, Kuol could face charges of aiding the rebels. Nevertheless, she said Kiir was still communicating with other officials to determine her situation.
South Sudan has been shaken by violence since mid-December, when Kiir accused sacked vice president Riek Machar of standing behind a failed coup attempt against his regime.
The violence has already claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people.
Last week, the government released seven political detainees arrested in the wake of the crisis on charges of backing the coup.
By Atem Simon
englishnews@aa.com.tr
