BRUSSELS, Aug 21 (KUNA) -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned Friday the killing of South Sudan journalist Peter Moi, working for The New Nation newspaper, who was shot dead on Wednesday leaving work in the capital Juba.
This latest killing, the sixth in South Sudan in 2015, follows the widely-condemned statement made a few days ago by president Salva Kiir who issued threats to kill journalists if they report "against the country," noted an IFJ statement.
"We are appalled by this outrageous killing which is not surprising in view of the president's outrageous stance," said the IFJ's President Jim Boumelha.
"We stand by the journalism community of South Sudan in this difficult period and we urge the country's authorities to guarantee the protection and integrity of our colleagues so they can do their job and report the truth with no fear," he said.
Earlier this month security forces shut down two newspapers - the Arabic daily Al-Rai and the English daily Citizen - as well as Free Voice South Sudan radio station, after they reportedly promoted a proposed peace agreement that the South Sudanese government has rejected .
The Brussels-based IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 134 countries. (end) nk.ajs