The Juba Monitor Newspaper has resumed publication after a shut down for almost a week, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan has announced.
AMDISS says national security officials closed the paper after publishing an article calling on the leaders of the transitional government of national unity to leave their seats.
The newspaper’s Editor in Chief; Alfred Taban, published his opinion on the ‘Lets Speak Out’ column on the 15th of this month and was later arrested and is still in custody.
In a statement, the Association of Media Development in South Sudan welcomed the decision of the National Security authorities to allow the newspaper to resume its publication.
However, AMDISS called upon the government to “refer the case to the Media Authority is the legitimate arbitrator and media regulator by law”.
It expressed concerns about the health of Mr. Alfred, saying his continued detention would worsen it and has called for the release of the journalist.
AMDISS also expressed its readiness to open dialogue with the government.
However, a security official told Eye Radio this week that Mr Taban was being kept in good condition and his family members were allowed to visit him.