Respected South Sudan journalist Alfred Taban, who established one of the country’s independent newspapers, has quit journalism after his appointment by President Kiir as a Member of Parliament in the national parliament.
Taban, chief editor of Juba Monitor and head of the association for media development in South Sudan, was a fearless critic of the ongoing bloody conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
Taban was offered the seat to represent his people in Kajo-keji by the opposition faction loyal to the incumbent First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.
“Yes it is true. The SPLM-IO had a vacant position in Kajo-keji, so the people of Taban Deng asked me to fill the vacant position,” Taban told Radio Tamazuj, adding that he is not a member of the SPLM-IO faction loyal to Taban Deng.
“I have accepted that position because it was vacant. They looked for people and they found that I fit for the position. The SPLM party has become one according to the Arusha agreement, so the agreement needs to be implemented,” he said.
“I have accepted the offer because my area in Kajo-keji is suffering from war. It has been destroyed and civilians fled, so people need someone to help them in the parliament,” he said.
He pointed out that he will resign from his position as the chief editor and head of South Sudan’s Association for Media Development (AMDISS). “I will quit journalism to join politics. I will resign from Juba Monitor and AMDISS after my swearing in,” he said.
Five other MPs have been appointed by Taban Deng Gai to represent his faction in the transitional parliament.
A veteran and outspoken journalist, Alfred Taban was repeatedly jailed by the Khartoum government and South Sudan security officials.