Kei Emmanuel Duku
A cameraman working for the Office of the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, was detained by security forces as he attempted to cover a court hearing in Juba, an act that has drawn strong condemnation from his office and prompted a senior justice to reiterate the public’s right to access court proceedings.
Mr. Naathdial Tuak Yerock, a senior photographer in the Media and Press Department, was arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) at approximately 7:30 AM on September 23, 2025, at the entrance to Freedom Hall. He was en route to attend the first hearing of what the SPLM/A-IO describes as a “politically motivated trial” of Dr. Machar and other political detainees.
According to a press release from Dr. Machar’s office, Mr. Yerock was subsequently transferred to an NSS detention center. The release, authored by Acting Press Secretary Cde. Puok Both Baluang, condemned the incident, stating it “represents a continuing pattern of arbitrary and unlawful detention by the NSS and other security apparatuses.” The office has demanded the immediate release of Mr. Yerock and all other detained officials.
“This is not a matter of ‘if’ the press is allowed, but how we ensure they can do their job without fear,” a source close to the First Vice President’s office stated. “This action speaks louder than any official decree.”
The incident starkly contrasts with comments made by Supreme Court Justice Dr. James Alala Deng, who recently affirmed the public nature of the hearings. “I would like to inform the audience that the court is open for public,” Justice Deng stated. “Media, all media houses are allowed to access the court and report… No way to close or to block any media house that is coming or any other interested citizen. So, this must be clear.”
On Monday, the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) issued a statement condemning the restriction against Journalists by national security officers who had wish to cover Dr. Machar and seven other co-accused court proceedings at the Freedom Hall in Juba
In its Monday press released, the UJOSS expressed dismay that its members who went to cover the commencement of the trial were denied entry and were told that only journalists from the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) were allowed.
The union called the denial of access a “direct attack on freedom of the press”. However, the South Sudan Union of Journalists is yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest of Dr. Machar’s cameraman, Naathdial Tuak Yerock.
The detention of Mr. Naathdial Tuak Yerock comes amid a backdrop of ongoing tension between political factions in South Sudan.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has condemned the denial of court access for journalists, stating that such actions undermine the principles of open justice and press freedom.
UJOSS specifically called out the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for facilitating the denial of access, an institution it believes should be protecting the constitution.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on politically sensitive issues in the country, even as a Supreme Court Justice has publicly stated that court proceedings are open to the media and the public.
The condemnation from the Office of the First Vice President underscores the gravity of the situation, characterizing it as part of a pattern of unlawful detention.