A regular NTV panelist and South Sudan government critic Dr Peter Biar Ajak was over the weekend arrested at Juba International Airport.
Family sources confirmed that Dr Ajak was intercepted by National Security Service (NSS) officers as he waited to travel to his hometown, north of the capital Juba.
"Dr Biar was on his way to attend the Red Army Anniversary. However, we have information that he is being detained at the 'Blue House', the NSS holding centre.
"The motive for his arrest is not known but we, the family members, urge the arresting authorities to respect his rights and liberties," a relative was quoted by the East African.
The South Sudanese national has been a regular contributor to NTV's AMLive show where he comments on political issues in Kenya and the greater East African region.
[caption caption="Dr Peter Biar Ajak in NTV studios on 30/1/2018"]
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He has called out the international community threatening action against leaders perpetuating war in Africa's youngest nation stating: "The actions have been inadequate for not pressuring the leaders to stop the war."
During one of the commentary session, Dr Ajar faulted Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for cultivating for himself the image of a "watermelon" since the 2007 election
"His image since the 2007 election is that of someone without a backbone. He shifts from one position to another, no meaningful position," he conveyed earlier in the year.
DR Biar is the Chairman of the South Sudanese Young Leaders Forum (SSYLF) and he is also the Founder and Director of the Center for Strategic Analyses and Research (C-SAR), an independent policy think-tank based in Juba, South Sudan.
He is the CEO of South Sudan Wrestling Entertainment which supports national wrestling tournaments to promote peace and to celebrate the country's unique culture.
Here is a video of one of the panel discussions he participated in courtesy of NTV:
[video:]
