In Tribute to Hon Alfred Taban Logune
Press Statement,
For Immediate Release,
By Dr. Hakim Dario,
Chair, People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)
May 5, 2019(SSNN) — The People’s Democratic Movement is very saddened by the passing on of the world renown and veteran journalist, Hon Alfred Taban Logune. He died on 27th April 2019, after a long illness in Kampala Uganda.
The people of South Sudan are indebted to Alfred’s life and career as a journalist. He dedicated most of life time in serving freedom of thought and of expression as well as his inspiring conscience to speak for truth in his country. In doing so, he used the might of his pen and paper for the world and the public’s right to be informed. Our country needed to have him and his un-mistakenly courageous voice to lead, inform and educate the people, how and why the almighty pen was essential and integral part of their struggle for human dignity, liberation and freedom – in a protracted struggle spanning decades against oppression and oppressors in whatever form or colour.
A renown and veteran journalist, Hon Alfred Taban Logune. He died on 27th April 2019, after a long illness in Kampala Uganda(Photo credit: supplied)
From his early journalism as a reporter for the ubiquitous BBC World Service, to Khartoum Monitor, English language daily, which became a synonym for resistance to the brutal repression of the National Islamic Front in the then Sudan. Alfred Taban took it all in his stride, fearlessly, unbroken, unperturbed by constant detentions in NIF’s jails, courts and infamous ghost houses. All that did not diminish nor deter his mighty pen in the battles against the oppressors and propelled him to international acclaim.
Alfred Taban’s head start, gain and lead for free media that became his trademark, lit the noble fight for freedom of expression which served his peoples’ right to know and to be informed in the old Sudan by free and independent media. It was the precursor out of which need the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) was born. This umbrella organisation was founded in August 2003 by Khartoum Monitor daily, Gurtong, South Sudan Review, South Sudan Post, Sudan Radio Service, and Sudan Mirror daily. It was during Alfred Taban’s time as the Chairman of AMDISS that the media legislation bills in South Sudan were passed into Acts of Parliament; namely the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2013, the Access to Information Act 2013, and the Media Authority Act, 2013.
Hon Alfred Taban did not just fight and resisted oppressors with his mighty pen, he also offered solutions for best practice international media standards to his country. Through his contributions Alfred Taban created the space for democratic transformation in South Sudan by his support for building the legal environment for protection and enjoyment of freedom of thought and expression, and the development of independent media and journalism in our nascent state. A state that soon afterwards persecuted and detained him, as the new SPLM dictators turned on him too, like the NCP regime did in the old Sudan.
Alfred fought a good fight till his passing on last week. His deeds are unparalleled and unmatched. Though his life has now come to an abrupt end, it was a life that celebrated and taught whole generations and our country the need to build a strong nation that respects and enjoys human rights, justice and accountability to its fullest extent. He will always be remembered as a patriot, who was ready to make sacrifices to protect fundamental freedoms and human rights from abuse by all oppressors, including those in our own nation in South Sudan.
Our thoughts and heart felt condolences to Alfred Taban’s family, his community and the entire people of South Sudan who knew him as their unforgettable hero. May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Hakim Dario is the Chairperson of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and he can be reached through his email at press@pdm-rss.org
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