US reiterates calls for probe into death of Christopher Allen

August 26, 2024 (JUBA) – The United States on Monday reiterated its demand for a credible inquiry into the death of Christopher Allen, a freelance journalist who was killed in South Sudan in 2017.

Allen, a dual US and British citizen, was killed during clashes between South Sudan government forces and rebels in Central Equatoria state’s town of Kaya on the South Sudan-Uganda border.

“On the seventh anniversary of the death of Christopher Allen on August 26, 2017, we renew our call on the transitional government to conduct a credible investigation into Mr. Allen’s death and to demonstrate the political will to take accountability seriously,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

“The findings that were announced on March 21 of this year did not address in a comprehensive manner all the factors that led to Mr. Allen’s death or the disrespectful treatment of his remains,” it added.

The government has repeatedly denied targeting Allen, who had been embedded with rebels from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition or SPLA-IO to cover the conflict that erupted just two years after the country declared independence in 2011.

In October last year, a committee tasked to investigate Allen’s issue claimed he was unintentionally killed.

The investigation findings reiterated previous claims by South Sudan’s government, with Information Minister Michael Makuei saying at the time of his death that “the killing of Christopher Allen was not targeted.”

“But anybody on that side is usually a target,” said Makuei.

“He was not wearing any protective or press identification clothes,” he added.

South Sudan ranked 118 out of 180 countries on RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index.

(ST)