South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on Saturday released Journalist Alfred Angasi Dominic who was arrested for more than two weeks.
Angasi, who works for South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) as a news anchor, was first arrested on 3 July for allegedly refusing to anchor news containing President Salva Kiir’s decrees for the appointment of some constitutional post holders. He was released on 4 July and re-arrested on 5 July.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Patrick Oyet Charles, said: “UJOSS welcomes the release of our colleague Alfred Angasi Dominic by the National Security Service. We are very happy that this has happened, and we thank all the institutions and parties involved including the government of South Sudan for listening to our plea because this is what we have been asking for.”
Oyet further said the leadership of the Union will continue working with relevant authorities in South Sudan to ensure a conducive environment for journalists in the country.
“UJOSS will continue to work with all stakeholders including the National Security Service, including the Media Authority to ensure that there is a good working environment for all journalists to foster mutual understanding for the development of South Sudan,” Oyet added.
Angasi’s sister, Cecilia Edward, said: “I was doubting that Angasi would be released today (Saturday), but when I received the call that Angasi would be released at 3:00 PM, I was very happy to hear that he was being brought home. I want to thank all the journalists for their solidarity in ensuring my brother gets released.”
Cecilia also thanked the Union of Journalists of South Sudan and the lawyers for standing firm to ensure the release of Alfred Angasi.