This came a few hours after the Security Forces shutdown the Catholic Radio Network, Bhakita FM, for reporting the recapture of Bentiu Town by the rebels.
The security agents charged up to four journalists for reporting “rebels propaganda”, a victory over the government forces amid international and regional pressure.
The two sides were seriously warned to obey the cessation of hostilities agreements, or else face sanctions, after they failed to form a Transitional Government of National Unity. However, they continue to trade accusations of who attacked who as another war looms.
Salva Kiir’s spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny, claims that the president has not been briefed over the incident that led to the shutdown of the Church’s radio station, and therefore, there is no connection between the two occurrences. Ateny, however, did not commend on why the president boycotted the Sunday mass at this time.
The country’s vice president, James Wani Igga, was not seen at the church either. However, Igga can travel as far as Nigeria to attend a Mass.
In January and March, the vice president and the first lady, Ayen Mayardiit, visited T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue church to be prayed for and also to deliver the president’s request to be prayed for, following the claimed prophesy of “a leader being captured” in one of the East African countries.
The president, who believe in the prophesy, has continued to pray at the Catholic Church until skipping the today’s service. It’s yet to be verified if the president will attend the next Masses when the journalists are all released.
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