UN condemns killing of South Sudanese columnist Isaiah Abraham

December 7, 2012 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned the assassination of a leading South Sudanese political commentator, Isaiah Abraham, which occurred on Tuesday morning in the capital, Juba.

Isaiah Abraham, known with his full name as Isaiah Diing Abraham Chan Awol, was gunned down in his house in Gudele area, west of the city center by unknown assailant(s).

In a press statement issued on Friday of which Sudan Tribune received a copy, UNMISS through its public relations office condemned the murder and called for a thorough investigation in order to bring the culprit(s) to book. It also offers support in terms of training the South Sudan police and in investigating such crimes.

“In keeping its mandate, UNMISS continues to provide extensive support to the South Sudanese police to make them better equipped to improve security in South Sudan, investigate such crimes as the reported slaying, and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” partly reads the statement.

It also reiterates its strong support to the freedom of expression as cornerstone of democracy in the country.

In his recent articles which were widely published in the internet and by some print media in South Sudan, Isaiah Abraham before his death called for the resignation of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In his last publication which was published on Sudan Tribune he also cautioned the government to study its relationship with the SPLM-N by not risking its relations with Sudan.

President Kiir has issued directives to his security organs to investigate into the murder of the writer.

In a statement to South Sudan TV shortly after a security meeting called by the President on Thursday, the deputy minister of Interior, Salva Mathok Gengdit, said the killing of Isaiah Abraham was “unique” because his killer did not loot any of his invaluable belongings including an expensive laptop computer. Only his cellphone was taken which makes the murder appear not an intention to rob him.

Isaiah Abraham reportedly alerted his relatives and friends that he was being threatened by elements of security personnel who called and texted him on his phone with death threats if he did not stop criticizing the government and the leadership.

It is not the first time that such murder occurs in the heart of the capital but most of the murder cases which occur almost on daily basis receive no attention.

A civil society top leader in South Sudan, Deng Athuai, was kidnapped, tortured and was found dumped half-conscious in the outskirts of Juba and nobody was held responsible for his torture. Deng before his kidnap publicly decried the corruption practices by senior officials of the government.

Investigations of such crimes always end up in failure or drag on without conclusions.

(ST)