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South Sudan: Juba Monitor Editor-in-Chief Arrested
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Alfred Taban, Editor –in- Chief of the Juba Monitor in South Sudan. Taban was arrested on Saturday, 16 July in the capital Juba by the agents of the National Security Service and is currently detained incommunicado.
According to the Uganda Journalists Union (UJU), an IFJ affiliate, Taban was arrested in relation to an article that he wrote in his weekly column “Let’s Speak Out”. In his article he called for the removal of President Salva Kiir and Vice President, Riek Machar, accusing both of them of failing to control troops loyal to them which have resulted in the loss of lives and property.
“The arrest of Alfred Taban is a serious threat to freedom of expression and freedom of the press” said IFJ President, Philippe Leruth. “Such arrests are desperate signs of intimidation designed to muzzle the media and journalists. Such repressive highhandedness is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. South Sudan must do more to create a conducive environment for the media to play its role of upholding democracy in the country”.
The IFJ calls on the government of South Sudan, to release Alfred Taban immediately and unconditionally.