South Sudan releases arrested journalists over rental arrears

June 8, 2010 (JUBA) — The security apparatus of the semi-autonomous government have released journalists of the Southern Sudan Radio and Television Corporation.

The journalists were sent to arbitrarily jail following a non violent strike, protesting repeated delay in the payment of incentives and house allowances.

The strike which coincided twice with important political events generated anger from both security apparatus and administration of the ministry of information and broadcasting service, hence accused staff members of SSTV and Radio who participated in the strike of conspiracy against the government.

General Gier Chuang Aluong, caretaker minister of internal affairs ministry of the government of Southern Sudan, said at a press briefing today in Juba, that the whole case has now been handed over to the two ministries of information and internal affairs to look into the legal and administrative process before going to the court.

George Garang Deng, undersecretary in the ministry of information has also confirmed release of the journalists, saying all of them are now out of the custody.

“None of those we were arrested in connection to strike is still under detention. They have all been released on personal bail,” he said adding an administrative committee from the two ministries will soon be formed in the coming days.

George said an administrative committee will be formed to study individually reasons that led to the strike “notwithstanding communications with administration of the ministry regarding processes and procedures involved in financial transactions and payment,” he said.

The information ministry official further said some of the innocent members were pulled into the strike, hence will look in their concerns as committee to find way out to settle their grievances administratively instead of court.

Yesterday, Sudanese Journalists Network, an independent group, demonstrated outside GOSS office in Khartoum, urging the President of Southern Sudan government to release their colleagues or to try them.

(ST)