South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State Assembly is calling for the Catholic Church to drop the case against journalist Sisto Germano Ohide, who was arrested in connection to the breaking of a church statue. The Assembly deemed the arrest as unconstitutional and unjust.
Chairperson Micael Kokol of the Standing Specialized Committee for Information and Communication condemned the arrest during a joint press statement in Torit, emphasizing that Ohide, a reporter for Singaita FM Radio Station, was simply covering a story about the statue incident.
Kokol criticized the arrest as a violation of freedom of expression and urged the church to retract the case. Meanwhile, Parliament’s Chairperson for Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Faisal Likale Olum, emphasized the importance of protecting journalists in their work.
State Minister for Information John Elia Ahaji distanced the government from the arrest, advocating for due process. South Sudan’s press freedom is a growing concern, with frequent obstacles faced by journalists in reporting.
The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by media in South Sudan, influencing the country’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index.
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