The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has voiced urgent concerns over the disappearance of freelance journalist Adil Faris, who was reportedly taken into custody by the National Security Service (NSS) on January 23, 2025. Faris, a former Managing Director of South Sudan Television (SSTV), now known as SSBC, has not been publicly charged, and the reasons for his detention remain unclear.
UJOSS has called for his immediate release and is demanding transparent dialogue with the NSS to resolve the issue. The union stresses the need for the Media Authority to mediate such discussions, ensuring that journalists’ rights are respected while addressing national security concerns in accordance with the law. UJOSS believes that open communication is essential to protect press freedoms in South Sudan.
Faris’s case follows a disturbing trend of media suppression in the country. Emmanuel Monchol Akop, Editor-in-Chief of The Dawn Newspaper, was also detained in similar circumstances on November 28, 2024. Preliminary investigations suggest that both Faris and Akop are being held at NSS detention facilities, though their conditions and exact charges remain unknown.
The UJOSS has expressed concern that these detentions are part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation against journalists, which undermines press freedom and the right to information. As the situation develops, the union continues to call for accountability and a lawful resolution that ensures the protection of journalists in South Sudan.
