CPJ urges UAE to justify the arrest of South Sudan political commentator Samuel Oyay News
© WikiMedia ( Jaseem Hamza)
CPJ urges UAE to justify the arrest of South Sudan political commentator Samuel Oyay

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday urged authorities in the United Arab Emirates to provide the reasons behind the detention of South Sudanese political commentator Samuel Peter Oyay, who has been outspoken on the issue of corruption and elitism in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

In commenting on the detainment, CPJ regional director Sara Qudah stated: “By arresting Samuel Peter Oyay without explanation, UAE authorities are once again showing that commentators and journalists face tremendous risks in a country where press freedom is severely restricted.”

According to his wife, Vivian Johnson, Oyay was arrested by six security personnel at his home in the early hours of the morning, with authorities conducting a sudden search of their home, lasting about two hours, with Vivian’s phone confiscated from her. His arrest without legitimate justification is in contravention of the fundamental principle of fairness enshrined in the justice system and runs contrary to the presumption of innocence. In addition to being a violation of the domestic justice system, his arbitrary detention violates Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The circumstances surrounding the timing of his arrest have raised concern among rights groups, who have framed it as a politically motivated arrest. The arrest comes after the publication of his article criticizing the politics of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit. His article condemned the weak governance of the government under Salva Kiir’s leadership, shedding light on the layers of elitism that underscore his stronghold in government, such as the existence of external rents like oil revenues, foreign aid, and regional security backing that act as a safety net in the event that his leadership collapses.

The article also provided his insights on the upcoming trial of Dr. Riek Machar, whom he says is packaged as a form of accountability, yet it functions as a double-edged sword, since it allows Salva Kiir to gain supporters and present himself as an alternative figure of political power.

Oyay’s arrest is a manifestation of a judicial system heavily influenced by political power, where the limits on freedom of speech and expression, protected by Article 19 of the ICCPR, remain uncertain. The UAE is facing criticism from several rights organizations for the targeting of dissidents and political opponents. Mass trials against dissidents and the terrorism designation of political opponents demonstrate a backlash in the protection of the right to fair trial and freedom of expression in the country.

The impact of Oyay’s arrest and subsequent detainment remain to be seen.

 

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