South Sudan watchdog condemns attack on local journalist

May 21, 2020 News, Newsbeat, South Sudan

South Sudan journalists covering an event in the country’s Yei County of Central Equatoria state (Photo credit: GURTONG)

May 21, 2020 (SSNN) – A South Sudan civil society watchdog has condemned an attack on a local radio journalist in the capital Juba.

On Tuesday night, a Eye Radio journalist was attacked at his home near Bilpam by a group of criminal gang who he said opened fire on his brother wounding him in the leg.

The police has not however apprehended the perpetrators.

In a statement this afternoon, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), a local civil society organizatio0n, said it condemns the attack on journalists and urged the government in Juba to ensure the safety of the citizens.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) learns with utter dismay and deeply regrets the attack on Eye Radio journalist, Obaj Okuj, leaving his brother wounded on 19th May, 2020. We strongly condemn this display of anarchy and appeal to the government of South Sudan to ensure the citizens’ safety because it is its prerogative and responsibility,” the Juba-based group said in a statement extended to South Sudan News Now (SSNN).

“Journalists should not be targeted for their work of keeping the public informed because by doing so, they are promoting the people’s rights and access to information which is a crucial element of any prosperous and successful society,” the statement said.

The statement further said the group “remind the government of South Sudan of its duty and responsibility of protecting the journalists, not only journalists but all citizens and anyone within its territory by creating a safe environment for the enjoyment of the aforesaid rights.”

“Any attack on journalists or anyone else is a pointer of dysfunctionality of a governing authority. The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) therefore calls on the government of the Republic of South Sudan to investigate and hold accountable the perpetrators of these crimes. The citizens can and will never be safe in a state where chaos and anarchy are the order of the day.

“The number one constitutional mandate and the priority of any government is the protection of its citizens and South Sudan is no different to this obligation, hence, it MUST live to that standard by bringing to book these criminals so that justice is done.”