South Sudan: UNMISS journalists involved in alleged murder-suicide

April 7, 2013 (JUBA) – A radio journalist working for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) took his own life hours after allegedly killing his wife, who was also a journalist employed at the same agency, relatives and colleagues said on Sunday.

It is unclear what caused the dispute that culminated in the apparent murder-suicide and there were no prior indications that either the husband or wife were suffering from depression or a mental illness.

Sudan Tribune was not able to independently verify the couple’s possible cause of death, with family members refusing to comment ahead of a pending autopsy.

A colleague of the couple, who declined to be named, confirmed that both the deceased had worked at Radio Miraya, adding that UNMISS was still investigating the circumstances in the lead up to the incident.

“This is a sad day for us who were his working colleagues at Radio Miraya. It is indeed sad day not only for us as colleagues but the entire mission,” he said.

Alfred Wani, who described himself as a “family friend” said in an email to Sudan Tribune that he had spent an enjoyable Friday evening with the couple and “did not see any sign of people who were not happy with each other”.

“I was with them on Friday evening for weekend share and both of them were in a good family mood. They were smiling and sharing jokes. There were no signs of being unhappy,” Wani said.

Wani said he had no information that the deceased man had been receiving counselling or medication for a mental disorder or disturbance, despite living in the same area as the couple for a long period.

Juma Sebit, a former school mate of the late journalist, remembered his friend as a kind, gentle, and compassionate man, adding that he had no knowledge that the deceased suffered from a mental illness.

“Completely, I have never heard any information showing that he was mentally ill. His behaviour had never suggested he had mental disorder … We grew up together and he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man,” Sebit told Sudan Tribune from New York on Sunday.

“He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room when we were at school. He would make sure that all [of] us in the dormitory gets food and engaged in encouraging school affairs together. He was such a bright personal friend”, he added.

(ST)