South Sudan: Security forces detain another journalist, charges unclear

File photo: SSBC Journalist Garang John

South Sudan’s National Security Services have detained another journalist working for state-run media, with charges remaining unclear.

Journalist Garang John, who is assigned to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was arrested in the capital Juba on Monday.

This comes barely two weeks after the arrest of six journalists with the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) for allegedly leaking a video clip widely circulated on social media in December, which appeared to show the country’s president in an embarrassing situation.

The six journalists who are still in detention are camera operators Joseph Oliver and Mustafa Osman; video editor Victor Lado; contributor Jacob Benjamin; and Cherbek Ruben and Joval Tombe from the control room.

Garang John’s elder brother, Atem Deng, told Radio Tamazuj that his brother is at the detention centre of the country’s National Security Services.

“Yes, we can confirm as the family that Garang John has been detained by the National Security Services. He is currently at the Blue House,” Deng said.

According to the brother, the family was not allowed to see him as investigations were still underway.

“We have been asked to see him after 24 hours after investigations. But we have been reassured that Garang is safe and investigations are underway,” he said.  

When contacted, James Magok Chilim, the Managing Director of South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), declined to comment on Garang’s arrest.

Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments were futile.

By law, South Sudanese authorities are allowed to detain suspects for only 24 hours before bringing them before a competent court of law.