ADVERTISEMENT

Authorities shut prominent newspaper

There was no immediate government comment, and it was not immediately clear how long the closure would last.

South Sudanese authorities shut prominent newspaper

South Sudan's authorities have shut down a prominent newspaper, the Nation Mirror, the editor said on Wednesday, after it published details of a report released by a U.S.-based group alleging misuse of state funds by the nation's leaders.

The authorities did not give a reason for closing the paper, which has a daily print of about 2,500 copies and a website, editor Aurelions Simon Cholee told Reuters. But he said it might be linked to the publication of the U.S. Sentry report on corruption.

The move will add to concerns by rights groups about media freedoms in South Sudan. The authorities have detained journalists and temporarily closed media outlets as the five-year-old African nation has been convulsed by civil conflict.

Cholee said security officials summoned the editorial leadership and ordered the paper closed, saying it "indulges in activities that are incompatible with its status".

ADVERTISEMENT

"This is what we could not understand what status do they mean or what activities,” Cholee said. “We don’t really know whether it is in connection with the Sentry report or our previous issue (with the authorities)."

The paper was temporarily closed in 2015 when it wrote an article related to the withdrawal of government forces from a region in the north of the country during a civil war that erupted at the end of 2013.

A peace deal was signed between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar in August 2015. But the pact faced months of wrangling before fighting between the two sides erupted again in July this year in Juba. Machar has since left the country.

The newspaper's headline on Tuesday's read "Kiir, Machar, Top Generals, Implicated in Sentry Corruption Report".

The Sentry report accused leaders on both sides of the civil war and their families of profiting from the conflict, amassing fortunes through links with bankers, arms dealers and oil companies. Spokesmen for Kiir and Machar denied the charges.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another prominent newspaper, the Juba Monitor, has also been closed several times by the authorities. Its editor-in-chief, Alfred Taban, was also detained in July, which activists said related to a column he wrote about the fighting that month.

"We urge President Salva Kiir to take all necessary steps to protect journalists in South Sudan and to ensure that their right to freedom of expression is not violated," Angela Quintal of the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement in July.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT