Juba
Five local journalists were recently detained in Juba by South Sudanese security forces.
Security Operatives at the Custom Market on Tuesday arrested five journalists belonging to EBC Radio, Radio Miraya, Juba Monitor and Almougif Arabic Newspaper. All those detained were covering a press conference called by the Central Equatoria state Chamber of Commerce.
The press conference addressed land and security issues facing traders at the market. The traders also accused security forces of breaking into their shops at night.
Midway through the press briefing, however, security agents stormed the venue and called a stop to the event. They declared that no security clearance was obtained for the briefing.
They reportedly confiscated all electronics belonging to the journalists, including recorders and cameras. The journalists were told not to broadcast or publish the story under threat of further action.
Robert Pitia, the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce Chair, says he will continue to engage with relevant authorities in the Juba City Council to see that the grievances of the traders at Custom market is addressed.
The arrests of the five journalists comes barely two weeks after a Juba Monitor Newspaper journalist was allegedly detained in dark, cockroach filled room for covering a protest staged by students at the University of Juba regarding recent economic reform.
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