JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The South Sudanese government has stopped operations of two newspapers, editors at the publications said Wednesday, in an apparent crackdown on the independent media.
Agents from the National Security Services on Monday ordered the Citizen newspaper to stop printing because of recent articles urging President Salva Kiir to sign a peace deal with rebels, said newspaper editor Nhial Bol.
The Arabic language Al Rai was closed down on Saturday after the government accused one of its employees of traveling to Kenya to join the rebels, said editor Wazir Michael.
Free-Voice, a group that is known for producing a radio drama aimed at promoting peace, said its premises were also shut down on Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny did not answer repeated phone calls from The Associated Press on the closings.
Tom Rhodes of the Committee to Protect Journalists said the space for critical journalism has been shrinking in South Sudan since the outbreak of an armed rebellion.
"The crackdown presents an ongoing trend where security forces work in near total autonomy and in disregard to the law," he said.
Six journalists have been killed this year in South Sudan.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has been at war since December 2013 as government forces battle rebels loyal to a former deputy president.
Peace talks between the warring factions are expected to resume later this week in Ethiopia, with the international community urging them to reach a peace deal by Aug. 17. Previous attempts to reach an agreement have not succeeded, despite international pressure.
On Wednesday Lam Akol, a prominent opposition figure in South Sudan, said he had been prevented from leaving the county to attend the Ethiopia talks.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan: the bishop who brings home lessons of unity and peace - 06/08/2015 00:03
- Dr. Lam Akol blocked from traveling to peace talks - 05/08/2015 15:25
- Sudan court clears South Sudan pastors of spying - 05/08/2015 11:17
- An airline service map shows how bad things are getting in war-torn South Sudan - 05/08/2015 08:08
- South Sudan government denies 'starvation' aid blockade - 05/08/2015 04:20
Older news items
- Symbol of freedom runs dry as S.Sudan brewery eyes closure - 05/08/2015 02:07
- Obama heaps pressure on warring South Sudan leaders - 04/08/2015 13:22
- South Sudan War And School: 400,000 Students Stopped From Attending Classes Because Of Conflict - 04/08/2015 13:07
- Sudan committed war crimes, bombed 26 health facilities: Amnesty International - 04/08/2015 12:56
- Amnesty accuses Sudan of war crimes in South Kordofan - 04/08/2015 11:32
Latest news items (all categories):
- IGAD and South Sudan Strengthen National Coordination for the Implementation of the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace Project - 03/08/2026 18:53
- South Sudan plans interoperable birth registration, digital ID systems - 03/08/2026 18:50
- South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform - 03/08/2026 18:04
- Kenya: Mudavadi meets South Sudan foreign minister as Juba gears up for landmark elections - 03/08/2026 16:52
- A Long Road Home: Jal’s Journey Through Conflict and Separation - 03/08/2026 16:41
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan and Sudanese Leaders to Meet - 21/10/2013 23:50
- Beyond Basin Diplomacy: The Cairo Meeting and Egypt’s Strategy in South Sudan - 04/03/2026 11:23
- UNMISS concerned about ongoing Upper Nile State clashes - 24/08/2022 01:00
- Consultations on capital city still ongoing - 01/03/2011 22:09
- Sudan and South Sudan in fresh border clashes - Radio Dabanga - 26/12/2012 14:47
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148276 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27915 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25000 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24323 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22280 times
