In Bor, Jonglei, the chairperson of the South Sudan Union of Journalists is working to secure the release of Abraham Aleu, a photographer for SSBC who was arrested during a peaceful demonstration. Majok Guet, speaking to Radio Tamazuj, stated that Aleu was taken by a joint security team for his involvement in organizing the protest, not for his role as a journalist. Despite efforts to secure his release, no date has been set, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Guet emphasized the importance of Aleu’s release, highlighting his right as a citizen to express himself and the lack of grounds for his continued detention. The situation raises concerns about press freedom in South Sudan, where the constitution guarantees prompt court appearances for detainees, yet authorities frequently detain individuals without due process.
The National Security Service law grants broad powers to security agents, allowing for arbitrary arrests and lengthy detentions. As colleagues and the journalists’ union advocate for Aleu’s release, his family is urged to remain calm amid the ongoing efforts to secure his freedom.