By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) reports that, as of February 2025, they have documented 34 cases of human rights violations across the country.
These violations include threats against journalists, activists, and other human rights defenders, hindering their ability to carry out their duties. The cases were documented between July 2024 and February 2025.
James Bidal, the National Coordinator for SSHRDN, expressed concern that a significant portion of these threats target media practitioners saying that state actors normally interfere with journalists or media practitioners depriving citizens of their right to freely exercise their democratic freedoms.
“The media is supposed to be open and free, operating within the country’s laws. However, surprisingly, some incidents specifically target journalists who are passionate about reporting, promoting, and defending freedom of expression,” said Bidal.
According to a 2023 report published by the Legatum Prosperity Index, South Sudan ranked 167th out of 167 globally, attributed to a lack of safety, security, and personal freedom.
The National Coordinator for Human Rights emphasized that silencing human rights defenders at a crucial time, when the public is focused on upcoming elections, will significantly impact the decision-making process of ordinary South Sudanese citizens.
He further explained that the lack of civic space impedes accountability and creates a situation where the public cannot hold their government responsible.
“There must be an open civic space where people can freely express themselves, voice their political agendas, and be subject to criticism from various actors. When such freedoms are curtailed, it severely affects people’s ability to campaign freely. Challenging the government openly on corruption becomes problematic due to fear of being targeted,” Bidal stressed.
Last year, Emmanuel Monychol Akop, Editor-in-Chief of Dawn Newspaper was arrested.
The Committee to Protect Journalists confirmed in December last year that Mr. Akop was arrested by national security service agents on November 28, 2024.
Edmond Yakani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for SSHRDN, demanded the immediate release of Emmanuel Monychol Akop, the Dawn Newspaper Editor, who was arrested by security officers.
He noted that continuous threats and inadequate funding for media houses impede journalists from conducting credible and factual reporting.
“Despite the threats, these journalists are supposed to investigate and document what is happening in Upper Nile and other parts of the country. Instead, they often end up only reporting on workshops. Above all, we need to stand up for each other as a family; an attack on any of us is an attack on all of us because rights cannot be compromised,” said Yakani.
He added that controlling the civic and political space mobilizes citizens against the state, potentially creating a situation similar to what occurred in Sudan and the Middle East during the Arab Spring.
The SSHRDN Board of Trustees, however, accused some human rights defenders in the country of playing double standards by acting as spy agents for security officers at Blue House.
The activist made the statement during the opening of a two-day Extra-ordinary Annual General Meeting of the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network.
During the two days, human rights defenders, civil society and government representatives would discuss critical human rights issues and foster collective action.