SOUTH SUDAN JOURNALISTS ATTACKED IN TRIBAL CLASHES

Three South Sudan journalists James Irene, Lomya Banak
and James Agwek Bier were attacked in their residents but all managed to escaped
and are now hiding in United Nations compound in Juba.

According to Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) sources , Lomya Banak and James Irene works with radio Mirayer - UNMIS sponsored FM radio that covers the ten states of Republic of South Sudan and while James Agwek Bier works with Bentiu FM radio.

James Agwek Bier is one of the seven South Sudan journalists who returned from Cairo after a training course. Journalist Lomya Banak was badly beaten and sustained severe injuries, is now under treatment in UNMIS Compound.

Well placed sources confirmed the attack on the two journalists is in connection to tribal conflict among the Nuer and Dinka tribes rather than their journalistic work.


The three journalists belong to Nuer tribe in South Sudan, a tribe where the former Vice President Riak Machar, who is leading the rebellion, belongs.

Seven journalists are stranded in Juba after their training in Cairo which was organised by UJOSS in conjunction with UNESCO. The journalists arrived in Juba from Cairo on Sunday December 15, 2013 but failed to connect to their individual States.

The journalists are seeking assistance to be evacuated and relocated to a safer place.

ENDS