Dawn Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Detained Amidst Concerns of Press Freedom
By Majur Chol Khor
The Dawn Newspaper has announced the detention of its Editor-in-Chief, Emmanuel Monychol Akop. According to the newspaper’s management, Monychol was taken by individuals suspected to be from the National Security Service (NSS) on Thursday afternoon, and as of now, his whereabouts remain unconfirmed.
This alarming incident comes at a time when the Union of Journalists of South Sudan has expressed deep concern over the safety of journalists in the country. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Monychol was summoned to a meeting with security personnel in his office, which lasted nearly an hour. No staff members were present during this meeting, leaving them in the dark regarding what transpired before he was taken away.
According to Patrick Oyet, President of the Union of Journalists, attempts to verify Monychol’s detention status with the NSS have been unsuccessful. “We have not yet verified his situation,” Oyer stated. “We have been trying to engage our lawyer to formally follow up on his whereabouts.”
Additionally, Oyet highlighted that ideally, the case should have been initially referred to the Media Authority, which is mandated to handle grievances involving journalists before resorting to arrests. However, it appears that protocols may not have been followed in this instance.
The lack of any communication from the Media Authority regarding Monychol’s detention adds to the growing unease among media professionals in the country, reflective of a broader climate of fear and uncertainty that journalists are currently navigating.
While the exact details surrounding Emmanuel Monychol’s detention remain unclear, his situation raises concerns about legal processes within the South Sudanese government. The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has also condemned Monychol’s arrest, asserting that if he is in conflict with the law, he should be presented before a competent court within 24 hours. According to CEPO’s Executive Director, Edmund Yakani, the arrest without a warrant constitutes a violation of human rights as outlined in the constitutional bill of rights.
The case comes shortly after a notable development where 16 long-detained individuals were released, leaving many to question the motivations behind targeting Monychol at this time.
As the situation unfolds, The Dawn Newspaper has pledged to keep the public informed regarding their Editor-in-Chief’s status and is seeking legal avenues to ensure his rights are upheld.
