A South Sudanese newspaper editor was arrested for writing articles criticizing the country’s leaders over the recent flare-up in violence earlier this month.
Alfred Taban, founder and editor of the privately run Juba Monitor, was detained on Saturday, drawing calls from journalists’ and rights groups for his release.
Alfred in his articles blamed President Salva Kiir and first vice president Riek Machar for not being able to control their forces, leading to the deaths of close to 300 people.
Following his arrest, South Sudanese twitter users have been tweeting about the arrest, demanding that the authorities release Alfred immediately.
Here are some of the tweets;
https://twitter.com/issaMwamba/status/755336447788539904
The arrest and alleged murder of journalists in South Sudan is beyond reproach. Journalism is not a crime. #FreeAlfredTaban
— Justin Lynch (@just1nlynch) July 18, 2016
They forgot he fought for them with his voice for their freedom, behind enemy lines #FreeAlfredTaban #SouthSudan
— Eva (@Evalopa) July 18, 2016
#SouthSudan must #FreeAlfredTaban now. A remarkable human rights defender detained for expressing an opinion. He must be freed. Pls RT.
— Jim Fitzgerald (@jimfitz100) July 18, 2016
