UN Radio Reporter Manyang Mayom Held by South Sudan Security Forces in Rumbek East
South Sudanese security operatives have detained UN Radio Miraya journalist Manyang Mayom in Rumbek East, Lakes State, sparking fears for his well-being and safety among family members.
Mayom has been unreachable since Friday. Witnesses reported that military officers, acting under directives from local authorities, confiscated phones, computers, and cameras from his vehicle. Authorities have not clarified whether the detention relates to his journalism or private matters.
A local resident, Daniel Laat Kon, confirmed the arrest was ordered by Governor Rin Tueny Mabor Deng. State Information Minister William Koji declined to provide details or confirm if family visits would be permitted. Relatives argue that Mayom’s journalistic equipment may have drawn suspicion, given past tensions between media personnel and security agencies.
Mayom, formerly the director of Lakes State radio, reports for UN Radio Miraya in Kuajok, Warrap State. He often returns to his home village in Rumbek East when on leave.
South Sudan has a documented history of journalist arrests and media suppression, particularly under the National Security Service Act, which allows detention without warrants. Activists and media groups have reported instances of torture, incommunicado confinement, and enforced disappearances, including high-profile cases in 2017 and 2023.
Media freedom advocates warn that arbitrary detentions, such as Mayom’s, continue to undermine press independence and human rights in South Sudan, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by journalists in the region.
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