Media Freedom Under Siege as South Sudan Prepares for General Election in 2024
June 2015 elections
By Emmanuel Malual, Juba, South Sudan
Saturday, 23 September 2023 (PW) — In 2024, South Sudan is set to hold its next general election, a crucial event that will shape the country’s future. However, for the election to be free and fair, the government must provide political space and media freedom to all candidates and citizens.
Political space refers to the environment in which political parties, candidates, and citizens can freely express their views and participate in the electoral process without fear of intimidation or violence. In South Sudan, political space has been limited in the past, with opposition parties and civil society groups facing harassment and repression from the government.
To ensure a level playing field for all candidates, the government must guarantee the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. This means allowing opposition parties to hold rallies and meetings without interference and ensuring the media can report on the election without censorship or intimidation.
Media freedom is also crucial for a free and fair election. The media plays a vital role in informing citizens about the candidates and their policies and in holding the government accountable for its actions. However, in South Sudan, the media has been subject to censorship and harassment, with journalists facing arrest and intimidation for reporting on sensitive issues.
To ensure media freedom, the government must guarantee the right to freedom of the press and protect journalists from harassment and violence. This means allowing independent media outlets to operate without interference and ensuring journalists can report on the election without fear of reprisals.
The 2024 election in South Sudan is a crucial event shaping the country’s future. To ensure a free and fair election, the government must provide political space and media freedom to all candidates and citizens. This will require a commitment to democracy, human rights, and a willingness to uphold the rule of law.
The reports of restrictions on the movements and activities of opposition leaders in South Sudan are concerning and highlight the need for more significant political space and media freedom.
The SPLM-IO’s claims that their chairman, Dr Riek Machar, was restricted from travelling or conducting political rallies in the country suggest that the government may be limiting the opposition’s ability to campaign and engage with voters. This is particularly worrying in the lead-up to an election, as it undermines the democratic process and can lead to a lack of trust in the outcome.
Similarly, the disruption of a reception for the chairman of the SSOA, Dr Lam Akol, by national security forces suggests that the government may be using intimidation tactics to silence opposition voices. This is unacceptable in a democratic society, where all citizens can express their views and engage in political activities without fear of reprisals.
To create a more open and democratic political environment in South Sudan, the government must guarantee the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. This means allowing opposition parties to hold rallies and meetings without interference and ensuring that the media can report on political events without censorship or intimidation.
Furthermore, the government must respect the rights of all citizens, including opposition leaders, to travel freely within the country and engage in political activities without fear of harassment or arrest. This will require a commitment to democracy, human rights, and a willingness to uphold the rule of law.
The reports of restrictions on the movements and activities of opposition leaders in South Sudan highlight the need for more excellent political space and media freedom. It is essential that the government guarantees the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association and respects the rights of all citizens to engage in political activities without fear of reprisals.
Understandably, opposition leaders in South Sudan would question the credibility of elections if issues related to political space and media freedom were addressed after the general elections. Free and fair elections require a level playing field where all political parties and candidates can campaign and engage with voters without fear of intimidation or harassment.
If opposition leaders are restricted in their movements and activities, and if the media is not free to report on political events, it can create an uneven playing field that undermines the credibility of the electoral process. This can lead to a lack of trust in the outcome of the elections and further deepen political divisions in the country.
To ensure the credibility of the electoral process, the government must address the concerns of opposition leaders and create a more open and democratic political environment. This means guaranteeing freedom of expression, assembly, and association and ensuring the media can report political events without censorship or intimidation.
It is also essential that the government works with opposition parties to address their concerns and create a level playing field for all candidates. This may involve dialogue and negotiation to find acceptable solutions for all parties.
In conclusion, addressing issues related to political space and media freedom is essential for ensuring the credibility of elections in South Sudan. The government must guarantee the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and association and work with opposition parties to create a level playing field for all candidates.
This will require a commitment to democracy, human rights, and a willingness to uphold the rule of law.
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