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South Sudan's media crackdown is an ominous sign for its brittle peace South Sudan's media crackdown is an ominous sign for its brittle peace
(about 11 hours later)
On a cool August evening, reporter Moi Peter Julius was gunned down shortly after leaving work at the offices of weekly The Corporate newspaper, making him the seventh journalist to be killed by unknown assailants in the past year in South Sudan, a country that since its birth as an independent nation in 2011 has quickly become one of the most dangerous places to report from.On a cool August evening, reporter Moi Peter Julius was gunned down shortly after leaving work at the offices of weekly The Corporate newspaper, making him the seventh journalist to be killed by unknown assailants in the past year in South Sudan, a country that since its birth as an independent nation in 2011 has quickly become one of the most dangerous places to report from.
Related: South Sudan reporter murdered, the seventh journalist killed this yearRelated: South Sudan reporter murdered, the seventh journalist killed this year
Though journalism is a perilous activity at the best of times, the recent conflict between government forces and rebel groups has led to a dramatic and vicious crackdown on local media.Though journalism is a perilous activity at the best of times, the recent conflict between government forces and rebel groups has led to a dramatic and vicious crackdown on local media.
Moi’s killing came just a day after president Salva Kiir announced that journalists who reported “against the country” would be targeted.Moi’s killing came just a day after president Salva Kiir announced that journalists who reported “against the country” would be targeted.
In several interviews with journalists based in the capital, Juba, reporters described an Orwellian atmosphere in the city since conflict broke out in December 2013. Now, they say, only good news about the president’s administration is tolerated.In several interviews with journalists based in the capital, Juba, reporters described an Orwellian atmosphere in the city since conflict broke out in December 2013. Now, they say, only good news about the president’s administration is tolerated.
“It is very hard to maintain any level of professional standards here,” said a radio reporter who asked to remain anonymous. “We are only allowed to report about the positives of the government without pointing out weaknesses or what needs to be corrected.”“It is very hard to maintain any level of professional standards here,” said a radio reporter who asked to remain anonymous. “We are only allowed to report about the positives of the government without pointing out weaknesses or what needs to be corrected.”
This increasingly hardline attitude towards the media, particularly the harassment and intimidation of reporters who have reported on the activities of opposition rebels, has spurred widespread scepticism amongst people in the country, who say the government’s intolerance is evidence that the recent peace deal won’t hold.This increasingly hardline attitude towards the media, particularly the harassment and intimidation of reporters who have reported on the activities of opposition rebels, has spurred widespread scepticism amongst people in the country, who say the government’s intolerance is evidence that the recent peace deal won’t hold.
Signed on the 27 August as a result of intense international pressure, the deal is the seventh ceasefire since war began.Signed on the 27 August as a result of intense international pressure, the deal is the seventh ceasefire since war began.
The words of South Sudan’s information minister Michael Makuei – who warned that any journalists quoting rebels in relation to the war would be regarded as rebels themselves – underscore both the closing of the space for independent reporting, and the deep hostility that has developed between the two warring sides and their political parties.The words of South Sudan’s information minister Michael Makuei – who warned that any journalists quoting rebels in relation to the war would be regarded as rebels themselves – underscore both the closing of the space for independent reporting, and the deep hostility that has developed between the two warring sides and their political parties.
“If you can go as far as interviewing the rebels to come and disseminate their filthy ideas to the people and poison their minds, that is negative agitation. You either join them or else we put you where you will not be talking,” Makuei is reported to have said.“If you can go as far as interviewing the rebels to come and disseminate their filthy ideas to the people and poison their minds, that is negative agitation. You either join them or else we put you where you will not be talking,” Makuei is reported to have said.
Thousands have been killed since the civil war broke out, an estimated two million have fled their homes and many out of the population of 11 million have been pushed to the brink of starvation by the fighting, in what was already one of the world’s poorest nations.Thousands have been killed since the civil war broke out, an estimated two million have fled their homes and many out of the population of 11 million have been pushed to the brink of starvation by the fighting, in what was already one of the world’s poorest nations.
In a blog post, Katie Campo, a political officer at the US embassy in Khartoum, argued it was a tragedy that the leaders of South Sudan, who suffered for so long under the repressive rule of the north, had taken up most of the old regime’s methods. In a blog post, Katie Campo, a former political officer at the US embassy in Khartoum, argued it was a tragedy that the leaders of South Sudan, who suffered for so long under the repressive rule of the north, had taken up most of the old regime’s methods.
“While the restrictive environment in Khartoum is nothing new, Juba’s changing attitude towards civil society is something to fear,” she wrote.“While the restrictive environment in Khartoum is nothing new, Juba’s changing attitude towards civil society is something to fear,” she wrote.
“In the last six months, the situation has deteriorated rapidly, such that some activists cannot travel anywhere alone for fear they will be ‘disappeared’. Human rights leaders are called in for questioning on a routine basis, others receive anonymous, threatening phone calls in the night.”“In the last six months, the situation has deteriorated rapidly, such that some activists cannot travel anywhere alone for fear they will be ‘disappeared’. Human rights leaders are called in for questioning on a routine basis, others receive anonymous, threatening phone calls in the night.”
Jess Smee, who worked with Moi as part of The Niles project, said journalists she works with have long reported an intensification of suspicion, harassment and threats. “They are reporting in a highly volatile context, facing widespread local mistrust and the unpredictable responses of security forces who are poorly coordinated but armed to the hilt.”Jess Smee, who worked with Moi as part of The Niles project, said journalists she works with have long reported an intensification of suspicion, harassment and threats. “They are reporting in a highly volatile context, facing widespread local mistrust and the unpredictable responses of security forces who are poorly coordinated but armed to the hilt.”
Smee said the risks for journalists have been increasingly since fighting first broke out, but the recent shooting has renewed widespread fear, “prompting many to go into hiding or flee their homes out of fear for themselves and their families.”Smee said the risks for journalists have been increasingly since fighting first broke out, but the recent shooting has renewed widespread fear, “prompting many to go into hiding or flee their homes out of fear for themselves and their families.”
Fragile peaceFragile peace
Following pressure from a number of leaders, particularly US president Barack Obama – who warned sanctions could be imposed on the country if a peace wasn’t secured soon – President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar came together to agree to this newest ceasefire.Following pressure from a number of leaders, particularly US president Barack Obama – who warned sanctions could be imposed on the country if a peace wasn’t secured soon – President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar came together to agree to this newest ceasefire.
Already there have been a number of reported violations of the ceasefire, with fighting ongoing in the oil rich Upper Nile and Unity states, both fiercely contested regions over the last two years.Already there have been a number of reported violations of the ceasefire, with fighting ongoing in the oil rich Upper Nile and Unity states, both fiercely contested regions over the last two years.
President Kiir also attached a memorandum of “reservations” over the deal, which proposes that his rival, Riek Machar, be appointed to the position of first vice president.President Kiir also attached a memorandum of “reservations” over the deal, which proposes that his rival, Riek Machar, be appointed to the position of first vice president.
Analysts say that the peace deal, like the seven previous ceasefires, may not hold because both sides remain unhappy with the terms of the agreement.Analysts say that the peace deal, like the seven previous ceasefires, may not hold because both sides remain unhappy with the terms of the agreement.
“It’s very hard to have a sustainable peace when those signing it are not truly committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal,” Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations at the United States International University told the Guardian.“It’s very hard to have a sustainable peace when those signing it are not truly committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal,” Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations at the United States International University told the Guardian.
The Kiir side bristled at the proposal to return Machar to the administration in Juba and to hand over control of some of the contested states to the rebel leadership.The Kiir side bristled at the proposal to return Machar to the administration in Juba and to hand over control of some of the contested states to the rebel leadership.
Related: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir signs peace deal despite 'serious reservations'Related: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir signs peace deal despite 'serious reservations'
Media watchdogs, however, warn that in addition to pressuring the two sides to halt the fighting, the international community must do more to protect civil society in the country – with a free media being a core consideration.Media watchdogs, however, warn that in addition to pressuring the two sides to halt the fighting, the international community must do more to protect civil society in the country – with a free media being a core consideration.
The case of George Livio, a journalist with the UN-backed Radio Miraya who was taken from the station’s offices in Wau on 22 August 2014 and has been detained without charge since, is one of many that have triggered calls for the authorities in Juba to show greater tolerance for criticism.The case of George Livio, a journalist with the UN-backed Radio Miraya who was taken from the station’s offices in Wau on 22 August 2014 and has been detained without charge since, is one of many that have triggered calls for the authorities in Juba to show greater tolerance for criticism.