Sudan Tribune reporter expelled from SPLM meeting

March 30, 2012 (JUBA) – Sudan Tribune journalist Ngor Garang was expelled from covering the last day of the National Liberation Council of the country’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-NLC) on Friday.

Security services seized his camera, equipment, passport and national identity card. None of the items were returned by Friday evening. It is unclear why Garang was singled out from the many journalists covering the event.

South Sudanese officials have been unable to explain why the incident happened.

“I cannot confirm anything because I did not get such information. I actually saw him in the hall”, David Mayen, a protocol officer at the office of the president told journalists on Friday.

“We will find out from the security organ[s the] causes of his expulsion”, he said, declining to confirm reports that Ngor’s documents and equipment were taken.

The country’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, did not pick Sudan Tribune‘s calls on Friday.

Philip Thon Mac, a journalist who reports for Southern, an English weekly newspaper, said he did not see the logic behind Ngor’s expulsion.

“I saw him being stopped and taken out from hall”, said Mac. “I actually do not know what he did. The security officer just stopped [him] and took him out from the convention hall”.

Ngor said on Friday evening the actions of the security services were unjustifiable.

“The equipments including camera I had was seized and all the snaps were erased. This happened upon arrival of President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the closing session. They took my passport, national identity card. No reason was given. It was just a clear premeditated move meant to deny me the right to cover the event”, said Garang.

Ngor said that some senior government officials and other journalists including those working for the SPLM unsuccessfully attempted to intervene.

(ST)