The Eastern Africa Editors Society (EAES) has officially admitted the South Sudan National Editors Forum (SS-NEF) as its newest member, marking a significant step in strengthening regional collaboration among editors in Eastern Africa.
The decision was unanimously approved during the Society’s Annual General Meeting held at the close of the Africa Media Festival. The admission expands EAES’s footprint and brings South Sudan’s editorial leadership into a growing regional platform dedicated to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and building sustainable newsrooms.
SS-NEF Chairperson Chuol Jany attended the Annual General Meeting to formally present the application and expressed gratitude for the warm reception, pledging active collaboration as the Forum takes its place within the regional body.
Jany said membership in EAES will significantly strengthen media advocacy for press freedom in South Sudan through greater regional cooperation.
“I am very happy that the Society has accepted the application of the South Sudan National Editors Forum. It has been a long-awaited process, and I congratulate the editors in my country,” Jany said. “Newsrooms in South Sudan are growing, and being part of a regional editors’ society which also qualifies us for engagement at the continental level will strengthen our Forum tremendously.”
He applauded EAES leadership for what he described as swift and decisive action, calling it a demonstration of regional integration in practice.
“We cannot remain outside regional bodies when South Sudan is a member state of East Africa. This is the time to interlink our institutions and work hand in hand with sister associations across the region,” he added.
The admission marks a new chapter for South Sudan’s editorial community and reinforces EAES’s commitment to fostering solidarity, defending media freedom, and strengthening professional standards across Eastern Africa.
EAES leaders said the admission aligns with the Society’s broader mission of fostering cross-border cooperation in response to disinformation, economic pressures on newsrooms, and emerging digital threats.
By welcoming South Sudan, the Society deepens its commitment to building resilient editorial institutions and ensuring journalism continues to serve the public interest across the region.
During the same AGM, delegates also elected a new leadership team to guide the Society for the coming year. Fitihawok Yewondwossen of the Editors Guild of Ethiopia (EGE) was elected President, while Zubeida Kananu of the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) was chosen as Vice President.
The new leadership pledged to strengthen collaboration among member states and reposition EAES as a more vibrant and impactful regional body.
With South Sudan now formally part of the Society, EAES enters a new chapter focused on expanded membership, deeper solidarity, and sustained advocacy for independent, public-interest journalism in Eastern Africa.
In his acceptance speech, President Yewondwossen praised his predecessor, Deodatus Balile of the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), for his principled and steady leadership.
He described the current period as a defining moment for journalism in the region, emphasizing the need to reinforce the entire media ecosystem from newsroom leadership and ethical standards to digital security and fair compensation for content.
He called for stronger collective efforts to safeguard editorial independence, protect civic space, and uphold journalism as a public good.
Vice President Kananu noted that the new leadership presents an opportunity to reposition EAES as a more dynamic and impactful regional body. She outlined plans to hold regular leadership engagements, improve communication among member states, foster inclusive decision-making, and expand joint regional initiatives to enhance the Society’s relevance and appeal.