CPJ demands whereabouts of detained South Sudan journalist

December 19, 2024 (KAMPALA) – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on South Sudan’s authorities to reveal the whereabouts of a journalist detained since November 28.

Emmanuel Monycol Akop, the chief editor of The Dawn newspaper, was detained by the National Security Services (NSS) agents after summoning him.

“South Sudanese authorities must bring editor Emmanuel Monychol Akop before a court, present credible charges or release him unconditionally,” said Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program.

She added, “South Sudan’s security agents have a reputation for running roughshod over the rights of journalists, and the arbitrary detention of Monychol further tarnishes an already dismal press freedom record.”

Moses Guot, a manager at The Dawn told CPJ that Monychol’s family members have not been allowed to visit him on instructions from the intelligence agency until investigations are completed.

“We are worried about his personal security,” said Guot, adding “They should allow us to see him, at least to know about his health, and that would be a good start.”

According to CPJ, NSS spokesperson John David Kumuri did not respond to a request for a comment, while phone calls to South Sudan’s information minister Michael Makuei Lueth did not connect.

In 2019, Monychol was arrested after he published a Facebook post criticizing a minister’s dress on a diplomatic visit. He was detained for over a month and freed in mid-December of that year.

South Sudan dropped to the 136th position on the World Press Freedom Index 2024.

(ST)