The United States has once again urged a thorough and credible investigation into the 2017 death of freelance journalist Christopher Allen, who was killed while covering conflict in South Sudan.
Allen, a dual U.S. and British citizen, lost his life during fighting between South Sudanese government forces and rebels in the town of Kaya, located on the South Sudan-Uganda border, in Central Equatoria state.
“On the seventh anniversary of Christopher Allen’s death, we renew our call for South Sudan’s transitional government to conduct a credible investigation and demonstrate political will for accountability,” read a statement from the U.S. Embassy.
The embassy also criticized the findings from an earlier investigation, stating that the March 2023 report failed to address key aspects of the incident, including the disrespectful handling of Allen’s remains.
The South Sudanese government has consistently denied allegations that Allen, who had been embedded with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) to report on the ongoing conflict, was specifically targeted.
In October 2023, a government-led committee claimed that Allen’s death was unintentional, echoing previous assertions by South Sudan’s officials. At the time of the incident, Information Minister Michael Makuei stated, “The killing of Christopher Allen was not targeted, but anyone on that side is typically a target.”
Makuei also noted that Allen was not wearing any protective gear or press identification when he was killed.
South Sudan ranks 118th out of 180 countries on the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
