Juba, December 301st 2015, South Sudan Security Operatives have arrested and detained Joseph Afande, the Editor of El Tabeer Arabic Daily Newspaper for allegedly criticizing the ruling party Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in an article published on 23rd December 2015.
Journalists in South Sudan are working in one of the most dangerous and challenging countries in Africa. The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization has described the situation as unfortunate as it tantamount to violation of the Constitutional Right under article 24 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO says this is a moment where respect of freedom of expression and media is needed since the country isimplementing the Peace Agreement, which is a high political matter that requires freedom of expression.
“Media and Journalists required to be given full freedom of expression at the current moment where the Country is implementing the peace agreement to create productive dialogue for securing stable, non-violent and peaceful South Sudan. Suppressing freedom of expression at the moment is not unacceptable and the government has to ensure that freedom of expression is fulfilled, obeyed and Honor”.
CEPO urges the leadership of the security to release Editor Joseph Afandi of El Tabeer Arabic Daily Newspaper and if he (Joseph) has committed a crime, he should be made to face competent court of law than keeping him in detention.
The security institutions and their authorities should encourage freedom of expression of opinions/ideas since the country is undergoing implementation of political peace agreement that is meant to end the conflict that has devastated the country.
