from RAJI BASHIR in Khartoum, Sudan
Sudan Bureau
KHARTOUM, (CAJ News) – A SOUTH Sudan cabinet minister has lashed at some media over allegations of a standoff between government officials after the arrest of First Vice President (FVP), Rieck Machar.
Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, dismissed the claim that mentions him in a fallout with other officials.
While he is also the government spokesperson, he was responding on his behalf as a minister.
“The Ministry wishes to categorically make it clear that the content of this article is wholly false, misleading and malicious in intent,” his office responded.
The publication has written an article titled, “Political Rifts Deepens over Arrest of FVP Dr. Rieck Machar.”
“The Ministry wishes to categorically make it clear that the content of this article is wholly false, misleading and malicious in intent,” Lueth’s office responded.
“This allegation is entirely baseless and without any factual foundation. This fabricated report is a calculated attempt to misinform the public, distort facts and jeopardise peace in the country.”
The ministry said it condemned “in the strongest possible terms, the reckless spread of misinformation and urges the public to treat the article with the contempt it deserves.”
Media practitioners are thereby reminded that journalism is a profession built on truth, accuracy and fairness.
“Those who choose to abandon these principles in favour of sensationalism will be held fully accountable under the laws of the Republic of South Sudan,” Lueth warned.
Machar has been under house arrest since March this year on charges of plotting rebellion and agitating for civil war, in order to prevent upcoming national elections.
He is deputy to President Salva Kiir, who is in a fragile government of national unity.
The world’s newest country, after attaining independence in 2011, is unstable.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) won the independence but split.
Kiir leads the SPLM-Juba and Machar the SPLM-IO (in opposition).
– CAJ News