South Sudan on the spot over the detention of 6 journalists

JUBA - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is demanding the release of the 6 journalists detained in South Sudan over the viral video of President Salva Kiir.

CPJ term the arrest and detention of the 6 journalists as a threat to press freedom in South Sudan.

The six journalists are Joval Tombe, Cherbek Ruben, Victor Lado, Joseph Oliver, Jacob Benjamin, and Mustafa Osman who are all employees of the state-run broadcaster South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).

The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has also voiced its concern over the continuous harassment of journalists in the African newest state.

Despite the state-owned - SSBC not airing the viral footage, the six journalists were still arrested and are still in detention as of the time we are publishing this article.

The CPJ called for the immediate and unconditional release of the scribes who are being detained at the National Security Service headquarters known as Blue House.

Muthoki Mumo - CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative said the arrests match a routine pattern by South Sudanese security officers who are always resorting to arbitrary detention whenever officials deem coverage unfavorable.

“Authorities should unconditionally release these six SSBC employees and ensure that they can work without further intimidation or threat of arrest,” Mumo said.

Previously UJOSS had denied that they knew about the arrest of the journalists, only to issue a press statement calling for a speedy conclusion to the investigation of the six staff of South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) who are currently in the custody of the National Security Service.

South Sudanese rights groups have also launched an online campaign appealing for the journalists' release or arraignment of journalists in court.
Having attained independence in 2011, the arrests dent the young country’s international image with respect to freedom of speech.

President Kiir has ruled the new state with an iron grip since the country gained its independence and has postponed presidential elections several times, with the next vote scheduled for 2024.

South Sudan is ranked 128 out of 180 in press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.

GAROWE ONLINE