The Association for Media development in South Sudan has on Thursday issued statement protesting the manner in which members of national security services have been treating members of the media as well as the industry itself in the country, describing it a ploy to muzzle press freedom.
Alfred Taban, chairperson for Association for media development in South Sudan said in a statement bearing his signature that the decision to close down the independent newspaper in the country represents “a serious threat to freedom of expression and of the press as well as a clear sign of intimidation to scare media fraternity in the country from doing its work”.
Alfred confirmed the authenticity of the statement when contacted and said the manner which the authorities use to react to media work speaks to the fact that the government actions are geared toward silencing critical voices and information provided to the people.
“The Association for Media development in South Sudan strongly condemns the indefinite closure of the nation Mirror English daily newspaper by South Sudan national security”, the statement reads in part. AMDISS, the statement added, “is deeply aggrieved with this unacceptable behaviour and calls on the concerned authorities to put to an end this act of interference and create a conducive environment for the media to play its role as the watchdog”.
The September 15 statement was a reaction to a 14 September decision by the national security asking the management of the Nation Mirror to cease publication after being summoned to appear at its headquarters in Jebel area. No reason for shutting down the paper was given.
Observers attribute the cause to closing down paper to publication of a corruption report in which president Salva Kiir, his family members, chief of general Staff , Paul Malong Awan and several other high ranking military officers and business associates were implicated. Others, however, believe it could be linked to remarks by the owner of the paper asking president Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar to quit politics as the solution to myriads of issues with which the country is grappling to address since the eruption of violent in 2013.
“The solution to South Sudan political crisis is for both Riek Machar and Kiir Mayardit to quit politics of South Sudan. They should leave us alone to choose another leader to reunite us. Both Kiir and Riek proved they can’t work together to reconcile the broken nation. When one of them is left in power the other won’t give us peace”, said Wol Deng Atak on his face book page .
Wol continued: Because Kiir thinks political system of South Sudan is a reward to compensate his years he spent in the bush fighting for the liberation of the South Sudan. Did he fight alone without anyone participation in liberation struggle? NO. Why then? God knows why”.
The former legislator turned editor in chief of the newspaper he established, according to his 10th September post, said “Riek Machar on the hand thinks he is letting down gods of Ngundeng if he quits politics before he becomes president. He must kill in order to satisfy his gods of power when he can’t get to presidency. Both leaders are very superstitious beyond imagination and have no respect to human life. Can you, President Kiir and former Vice President Machar, leave us alone and go and do own your private stuff? Just do it! Go do something else”