US ambassador to South Sudan talks on journalism

June 12, 2012 (JUBA) – The US ambassador to South Sudan, Susan Page, on Tuesday briefed groups of journalists from different media outlets on the second phase of training in Juba, carried out by the Voice of America.

She urged journalists in South Sudan to use their writing skills to progress democracy and give a voice to the voiceless, and that the “democratic governance depends on the ability of citizens to make informed decision. This requires the dissemination of accurate information through free and independent media.”

The US ambassador said she was with the South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, during the opening of the Legislative Assembly on Monday, to pass media laws which will give journalists freedom to operate in the country.

Despite the brevity of the history of the independent South Sudan’s press, it is mixed. Amongst other incidents, Sudan Tribune journalist, Ngor Garang was detained without charge in November 2011.

Page also urged the UN Security Council to continue its role in bringing Juba and Khartoum to the negotiating table to resolve outstanding issues based on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which both parties signed to end the civil war in 2005.

In May the former US special envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, called on the US to arm South Sudan with anti-aircraft weaponry to provide it with defence from aerial attacks by Sudan Armed Forces. Page said the US would not heed Natsios’s calls.

She also expressed her hope that sanctions will be imposed if the UN Security Council resolution which calls for the withdrawal of troops from Abyei and other disputed regions, is not adhered to.

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, on Monday said that if the AU Peace and Security Council fails to resolve the border demarcation issues, South Sudan will seek a solution at the Permanent Court of Attribution.

(ST)