The family of Samuel Peter Oyay, a prominent South Sudanese political commentator known for his critical views on the government, has expressed deep concern over his safety following his arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a month ago. Oyay was taken from his Dubai residence shortly after publishing an article in Radio Tamazuj, a Netherlands-based media outlet, which criticized the trial of opposition leader Riek Machar. Machar, suspended as South Sudan’s vice president, faces treason charges linked to an alleged attack on a military garrison in March, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 250 soldiers. Oyay’s article accused President Salva Kiir of weakening government institutions to consolidate power and described Machar as a “captive figure in the theater of governance.” Since his arrest on September 30, Oyay’s wife, Vivian Johnson, has had minimal contact with him, with their last brief conversation on October 25 failing to reveal his whereabouts. The family, who fled South Sudan’s civil war in 2013 and settled in the UAE in 2014, believes Oyay’s arrest is politically motivated. Authorities confiscated electronic devices during the arrest but have provided no further information. The UAE has been accused of facilitating transnational repression, with critics highlighting its intolerance for press freedom. Oyay’s detention underscores the risks faced by exiled critics of South Sudan’s government, who have historically faced violent repression. The case has drawn attention from international bodies, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, which has condemned the lack of transparency surrounding Oyay’s arrest.