Activist laments detention of journalists by security forces as ‘unacceptable’

JUBA – A prominent South Sudan journalist has condemned Tuesday’s detention of journalists by members of the country’s National Security Service (NSS) and urged the leadership of the parliament to intervene and resolve the restrictions against journalists within its premises.

On Tuesday afternoon, eight journalists turned up for a press conference  organized by members of parliament mostly representing the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) to address issues such as the slow pace of the implementation of the peace agreement.

But on arrival, the journalists, including a prominent activist, were arrested by soldiers belonging to the National Security Services (NSS) before the group could expel the lawmakers who had organized the press event. The journalists were later on released after four hours.

In a statement, the Community Empowerment for Process Organization (CEPO) condemned the brief detention and urged the parliament to intervene in preventing such incidents which could hinder work of the journalists in the future.

“The brief detention of 8 journalists and an activist by the National Security Service in charge of the parliament is unacceptable and the leadership of the parliament should immediately intervene on this matter,” Yakani said.

“The journalists went on an invite signed by about 19 legislators to lament on challenges facing the MPs in Juba. Other issues in the agenda include slow implementation of the peace agreement. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is disturbed and condemned this unlawful act,” the group said.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO said “this unlawful act is interference and restriction of access to information” because the “Media Authority Act of 2018 accredited Journalists, shall have the right to attend briefings, press conference, press releases by the government or public sector organizations and others events organized for the press, and inclusion in official visits by the state and government officials.”

“The leadership of the parliament and especially the chairpersons of the Information Committee in the parliament should intervene on this damaging act. Their intervention should immediately and hold the security officers who this unlawful act accountable. Harassing and intimidating journalists and activists within the promises of the national parliament is totally a violation of the intention why parliament was established,” Yakani.

“CEPO is urging with due respect and honor the leadership of our national security services to ensure the officers deployed to the national parliament should be well-informed officers about the purpose why citizens, media and activists have to access the parliament as public house of state and government decision making,” the statement further added.