Initial investigation shows Isaiah Abraham was a victim of political assassination, minister

December 8, 2012 (JUBA) – The cabinet of South Sudan’s government has strongly condemned the assassination of a renowned political commentator, Isaiah Diing Abraham Chan Awuol, saying the initial investigations made have already indicated that the murder was a [political] assassination.

The cabinet condemned the killing in a meeting chaired by the country’s Vice President, Riek Machar Teny, on Friday.

The minister of information and official spokesman of the government, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, told the press after the meeting that 70% of the initial investigation shows that the killing of Isaiah Abraham was an assassination.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) in the ministry of Interior has already launched the investigation into the killing, looking at the two possibilities of a “revenge killing” or “political assassination.” Only 30% chance of a revenge killing was established while the 70% point to assassination.

The deputy minister of interior, Salva Mathok Gengdit, on Thursday in a televised statement on the national TV said the killer of Isaiah Abraham left his belongings intact including an expensive laptop computer. The nature of the killing indicated that the intention was not to rob him.
Late Isaiah Abraham was a longtime critic of the government which he always expressed in writings that were widely published in the internet as well as by the print media.

Marial further said that the cabinet urged for speedy investigation and conclusion into the crime and to bring the culprits to book. It also reiterated the government’s responsibility to protect the citizens by providing effective joint patrols of organized forces around the city.

It also resolved that all soldiers and personnel of other security organs residing inside the city with guns should surrender their weapons to the barracks. Only those on duty will be allowed to carry the guns.

(ST)