The UN radio journalist George Livio has been held for more than two weeks without charge after being detained by security agents in Wau, the capital of Western Bahr al Ghazal State of South Sudan.

In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said that Livio must either be presented to a court or released.

Security agents arrested Livio and UN security guard James Lual Tharjiath in Wau without explanation on 22 August, according to James Deng, secretary general of the state's Union of Journalists of South Sudan.

CPJ, citing the state information minister Derrick Alfred, said that national security agents accused Livio of collaborating with the rebels. But Livio's family has denied the allegations.

The rights organization is calling for the authorities to respect Livio’s legal rights.

“We call on South Sudanese authorities to observe due process of law and release George Livio immediately if they have no charges to file against him,” said CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes.

Livio has been denied legal aid and contact with his family.