Monday, November 11, 2024

South Sudan jails economist for speaking to the media

Must read

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

A prominent economists in South Sudan, Peter Biar Ajak has been jailed for granting a media interview.

The former child refugee who returned to his native county as an academic was jailed for two years on Tuesday by a court.

He was charged with disturbing the peace of South Sudan after giving interviews to foreign media when earlier treason charges against him were dropped.

First arrested in July, 2018 Biar charged with treason but a court dismissed the charges in April this year.

The Harvard and Cambridge educated economist has also worked at the World Bank.

He became South Sudan country director for the International Growth Centre, part of the London School of Economics.

Biar had been a major critic of President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar urging them to end the deadly civil war.

Reuters quotes Biar’s lawyer as saying that his team will appeal the conviction for inciting public violence through speech.

His lawyer said “The decision itself is in conflict with the constitution especially freedom of expression. Peter Biar has been convicted for speaking to VOA (Voice of America) Radio.”

South Sudan since its independence from Sudan in 2011 has not enjoyed peace with decades of fighting yet to end.

A peace deal between President Kiir and rebel leader Machar is yet to materialize.

The formation of a unity government on May 12 has not happened further delaying agreement to end the civil war.

 

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest article

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...

Ghana’s new law that jails citizens not wearing facemask 10 years

Ghanaians who fail to wear the face masks in compliance with a presidential directive risk going to jail for ten years. They also face a...