South Sudanese civil society group CEPO has welcomed the release of journalist Joseph Afendi after two months of detention without charges and is calling for the release of George Livio, who has been held illegally for more than a year and a half.
In a statement, Executive Director of CEPO Edmund Yakani said, “CEPO in honorable manner is appealing the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Media Authority of South Sudan, South Sudan Human Rights Commission and the National Security to set free George Livio in same manner Joseph Afendi was set free.”
“It is high time for South Sudanese and their state authorities to reconcile,” he added.
The civil society leader appreciated the information ministry and other government bodies for having responded to lobbying for the release of Joseph Afendi.
“The case of Afendi came at critical moment that South Sudan are highly in need an opportunity of expression their opinion and idea in relation to national reconciliation, healing, forgiveness and peaceful co-existence.”
Yakani further said he hopes Afendi’s case will be the last incident of its kind given the political developments in the country “that requires no suppression of the freedom of expression.”
Photos: George Livio (left) and Joseph Afandi (right)