The Union of journalists of South Sudan is calling for the release of Alfred Taban, the Editor-in-Chief of the Juba Monitor newspaper.

Mr Taban was arrest last week for allegedly criticizing the government on an article that was published by the English daily newspaper. The Juba Monitor was also shut down.

Mr Alfred is believed to be arrested for allegedly stating in the article that President Salva Kiir and the first vice President Dr Riek Machar were either unable or unwilling to control their forces during the recent fighting in Juba.

The Chairperson of the UJOSS, Oliver Modi says Mr Taban is still in detention. He called on the authorities to release him.

Mr Oliver said let the legal procedures be considered in order to determine whether Mr Taban should be detained on not.

“We would like to take such an issue to the law so that we find whether Alfred Taban is talking within the context of the law or Alfred Taban is talking outside the law,” he told Eye Radio this morning.

Mr Modi said the legal process is under the Media Authority which is tasked with dealing with the media houses in the country.

When contacted by Eye Radio on the matter, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, said he would call back.