S. Sudan newspaper editor says under threat for publishing critical views

July 13,2013 (JUBA) – South Sudanese newspaper editor, Nhial Bol Aken says he plans to go into a exile after security agencies put him under strict surveillance for allegedly broadcasting and publishing views critical of the south-ruling party (SPLM) performances.

In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, Aken claimed his life was under extreme security threat over the past few days, asserting that security agents had warned him against expressing anti-government views.

“I am thinking of going into exile because my life has been under extreme security threat for the last two days. I have received warnings similar to what they gave Isaiah Abraham [slain journalist/blogger]. One of the security agents asked whether I was not interested in looking after my children,” the veteran scribe said Saturday.

This was exactly what they used to tell Isaiah that your children are young and it is better you look after them instead of focusing on issues which would not benefit you, he added.

Aken, who owns The Citizen newspaper and television said he found people in plain clothes standing mysteriously before the compound of his residence on Friday night and remained there until about 2:00 am the next day forcing him to jump over the fence in to the publishing facility.

“My life is under threat. I found strange people standing before my residence yesterday at mid night. They were doing nothing and said why should I worry about people standing before my residence when I asked them’,” he said.

He says he received threats and accusation from government agents, largely accusing him of advancing opinions from opposition groups and individuals with dissident views.

“I received threats over publication and broadcast about views critical of the performance of government. They asked why we published a statement by Pagan Amum in which he admitted failure of the SPLM. They also asked why we interviewed and make a broadcast of Lam Akol’s views. They actually wanted to close our station, but I preempted the plan by going to the security office myself”, he said.

But a security officer, in an interview with Sudan Tribune, quickly denied Aken’s allegations, describing the latter an an “unprofessional journalist, liar and someone looking for international recognition by tarnishing the image of the country for personal fame.”

“I do not have any idea of what this liar is saying. I actually do not know what your friend is up to. Do really talk with him. Why you don’t advice him that what he is doing is not good. He has launched a negative campaign to tarnish the image of this country, just for personal fame and benefits. What will he get from doing all these”, asked the security officer, who preferred anonymity.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the ministry of information advised journalists to exercise neutrality and avoid being too critical of the government activities.

“I have always advised you [referring to the Sudan Tribune journalist interviewing him] and Nhial Bol as friends, to slow down from airing out your views. I do this not because I am against press freedom and expression, but because of the environment itself,” he said.

“Let the dust settle down a little a bit,” he added.

Aken recently blasted members of the international community, accusing them of sympathising with the governing SPLM, allegedly due to their interest in the country’s oil resources.

He made these remarks while speaking at a round table discussion hosted by the UN sponsored Miraya FM focusing on the achievements, challenges and plans of the new nation.

“I am worried. These people [South Sudan’s government] have lost direction. They do not have vision. They do not have any plans,” Aken said during Tuesday’s show.

“Yesterday, I asked one of the ministers what their plans are with the new oil revenues and he said no plan. They are thinking about new cars and new wives. The future is gloom[y],” added the fearless journalist.

The veteran scribe, who has been detained by South Sudan’s security services on various occasions for his paper’s criticism of the government, said that top members of the SPLM were planning “to use oil money to buy weapons so that they can kill themselves during [the] 2015 elections”.

(ST)

ST – South Sudan newspaper editor calls for sanctions against top officials