AMREF boss shot dead in S. Sudan

January 15, 2011 (JUBA) — Unknown gunmen on Saturday shot dead South Sudan’s country director for the medical group African, Medical Research Foundation (AMREF), under unclear circumstances, an eye witness told Sudan
Tribune.

Dr. Alemayehu Seifu, a renowned Ethiopia medical doctor was reportedly killed in Malakia, located in the outskirts of Juba late evening. The killers, according to the eye witness, also made off with his car and other personal belongings.

So far, neither officials from the South Sudanese government nor the police have issued any statement in relation to Dr. Seifu’s death. However, an official from AMREF said the organisation is due to issue an official statement on Dr. Seifu’s death.

The brutal murder of AMREF’s county director will likely raise more concern on the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the South Sudanese capital. In December last year, lawmakers in the national assembly summoned three ministers, the Central Equatoria state governor and the Juba mayor to explain why so many people were being killed and robbed in Juba.

However, efforts by the legislative assembly, residents say, have yielded very little fruit with more cases of robbery and killing reportedly occurring in Juba payams (districts).

Prior to joining AMREF South Sudan, Dr. Seifu, who held a Masters in Public Health, previously served as the organisation’s deputy country director in Ethiopia; a position he held since September 2007.

He also worked with World Health Organization (WHO) as regional surveillance coordinator in Ethiopia country office, CARE International and Amhara Regional Health Bureau, Ethiopia.

(ST)