South Sudan journalists call for expeditious ‘conclusion’ in investigation of detained colleagues

JUBA, January 6^th 2023 (Sudans Post)  – The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has appealed to the country’s authorities to expeditiously conclude investigations of colleagues who have been taken to the National Security Service (NSS) custody over a viral video showing President Salva Kiir in an uncomfortable situation.

The president while opening the first phase of the Juba-Bahr el Ghazal Highway at Terekeka last month was seen wetting on himself in front of cameras while the country’s national anthem was being played during the function.

The video has gone viral and triggered questions as to if the president, who has been leading the world’s youngest country since at least 2011 when it obtained independence from Sudan, is capable to continue in the top civil service position.

The video has since sparked fears among journalists in South Sudan as they have been harassed by the government National Security Service looking for possible culprits who made that particular footage of the president public.

On Tuesday, the NSS arrested at least six journalists working for the state-own South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), according to officials, journalists working at the SSBC, and the Union of Journalists of South Sudan.

In a statement this afternoon, the UJOSS called on the authorities to expedite and conclude the investigation process for the detained journalist and said the journalists should be taken to court if they are found to have committed a misconduct.

“UJOSS calls for 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. The staff are suspected of having knowledge of the release of ‘a certain footage’ to the public,” the body said in the statement signed by its President Oyet Patrick Charles.

“If there is a prima facie case of professional misconduct or offense then let authorities expedite an administrative or legal process to address the issue in a fair, transparent and in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

It further said that the body “will continue to work with other stakeholders including the National Security Service to ensure a good environment for all journalists to foster mutual understanding for the development of South Sudan.”