The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) has condemned the arrest of three journalists by government soldiers in Juba. 

The media professionals, including a Radio Miraya reporter, were detained by soldiers for five hours, when they went to cover a story at the John Garang Mausoleum on Tuesday.

“Even if they were detained for only 3 minutes that is bad enough, they should not be detained at all,” said AMDISS Chairman Alfred Taban.

Taban said the association will lodge a formal complaint with the Media Authority, and is asking the body to exercise its powers as the supervisor of media operations in South Sudan. 

The Media Authority was established as an independent institution in 2013 to provide oversight and guidance for media operations in the country.

Alfred Taban spoke to Sebit William in this interview. 

The condemnation follows a protest by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) against the arrest of the UN staff member. 

UNMISS spokesperson Daniel Dickinson said the detention was in violation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between the United Nations and the South Sudan government.

Mr. Dickinson spoke to Radio Miraya’s Gabriel Shadar.