JUBA – Civil society organization Intrepid South Sudan (ISS) is calling on the government to grant independent media and the public fair access to the venue hosting the court proceedings against Dr. Riek Machar and seven other co-accused SPLM/A-IO officials.
In a statement, ISS says it has sufficient information on the denial of independent media from covering the court proceeding, as well as the assault and brief arrest of a civil society activist by the security agencies concerned.
“We, first of all, appreciate the government for allowing this live streaming of the court proceeding for transparency and public knowledge,” ISS said.
“However, it appeared that only the public television, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), has been allowed to cover the proceeding. This is contrary to the gesture transparency and public interest.”
ISS said it condemns the deliberate side-lining of the private media and assault of the Civil Society Activist.
“We further appeal for uncensored coverage of the subsequent court proceedings by the accredited private media outlets, including radio stations, International Media, and also undeterred attendance of the public, including Civil Society Actors.”
The daughter of the slain SSPDF commander Lt. Gen. Majur Dak, who was killed in Nasir County in Upper Nile State, also said her family was blocked from attending the first court hearing over the incident.
Machar and co-accused were indicted early this month on serious charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, following the conclusion of an investigation on the fighting in Nasir County.
The SPLM-IO leader and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol were then suspended from office by President Kiir on September 11, to allow the legal proceedings against them.