Journalists detained over video appearing to show South Sudan president wetting himself

Six journalists have been accused of knowing how footage was released

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) gives a press conference jointly with his former vice-president and political rival Riek Machar (R) after they met at the State House in Juba, where they confirmed that they had agreed to a joint government in February 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

Six journalists in South Sudan have been detained by authorities over footage appearing to show president Salva Kiir wetting himself, the country’s national journalists union said.

The journalists, including camera operators, technicians and editors, were detained on Saturday.

The footage was recorded in December and shows a dark stain on the president’s grey trousers as he stood for the national anthem at a road commissioning event.