South Sudanese activist group Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has called on President Salva Kiir to release journalists held by his government as a way to make good on his apology to the nation for the last two years of civil war.
Kiir apologized to the South Sudanese people earlier this week for the “unnecessary and unbearable suffering” caused by the war between his forces and Riek Machar’s rebels. The war killed tens of thousands of South Sudanese civilians and pushed milllions into hunger.
In a statement, CEPO asked the president “if the apology can be further extended for unconditional release of detained South Sudanese and specifically the journalists.” The group said that doing so would demonstrate a good gesture of starting the process of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.
At least two journalists are currently in detention of Kiir’s National Security Services. George Livio of Radio Miraya has been held since August 2014, and Joseph Afandi of El Tabeer newspaper was arrested on 30 December 2015.
CEPO executive director Edmund Yakani said by apologizing to the people, Kiir has opened the door to forgiveness as well as justice and accountability.