I believe in Art to promote unity in South Sudan
Born 25/10/1984 in Khartoum in Sudan, Manasseh Mathiang is an exiled Human Rights Defender, Musician and a Marketing Executive. He and family moved to Nairobi Kenya in the year 1992 as refugees where he lived most of his childhood life. He moved back to South Sudan in the year 2011, after voting for independence in the referendum on self-determination of South Sudan.
Manasseh was quoted in media interviews in the year 2010 saying. “I did not participate in the long battle for freedom, but now I have the opportunity to play my role by casting my vote for independence and using my voice to mobilize fellow citizens to vote the same.”
He is currently the Executive Director and Founder of Hagiga Ltd, a social enterprise registered in Nairobi aimed at promoting freedom of Expression through art and storytelling. He also Co-Founded #Anataban (I am tired in simple Arabic), a youth led movement made up of thousands of creative South Sudanese around the country.
As a passionate advocate for Human rights Manasseh has been vocal on promoting freedom of expression in the country as well as advocating for good governance and accountability. His notable actions include leading in a peaceful protest in Nairobi called #StopLootingSouthSudan which garnered international attention to the laundering of South Sudan’s resources https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/kenyan-south-sudanese-activists-demand-action-against-beneficiaries-of-ss-conflict.
He was also part of the Coalition of young leaders of South Sudan, a youth led initiative that was formed in 2014 after the conflict erupted in Juba that travelled to Addis Ababa where the Peace talks were taking place and successfully advocated for inclusive dialogues to resolve the conflict.
Manasseh and other prominent South Sudanese activist were forced to flee the country in the midst of a crackdown on activist by the government of South Sudan in the year 2021. Manasseh and six others were accused of trying to illegally overthrow the government by breaking various sections of the penal code act and are accused under sections 48, 52, 63, 74, 75, 76 and 80.
The sections talk about acts committed by several persons in furtherance of common intention, abetment, attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment and subverting constitutional government.
Manasseh founded Marketing Solutions Company Limited – a marketing company in South Sudan that offers Outdoor advertising and event management services. Other Initiatives Manasseh has worked on include #Defyhatenow – a campaign aimed at combating online hate speech and in the year 2010 spearheaded the Freedom Walk Door to Door Campaign – a campaign that mobilized South Sudanese leaving in Kenya to vote in the referendum on self-determination and to vote for self determination