South Sudan: US embassy, RSF renew calls for justice for slain journalist Christopher Allen

Christopher Allen with fighters from the SPLM-IO in Yondu, a few days before the battle of Kaya. IMAGE: COURTESY SPLM-IO

The US Embassy in South Sudan and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have renewed calls for a credible inquiry into the killing of journalist Christopher Allen.

Allen, a dual US-UK citizen and freelance journalist, was shot dead while covering a clash in Kaya, near South Sudan’s border with Uganda, on 16 August 2017, after having been embedded with SPLA-IO forces for three weeks.

 He was carrying only a camera and was 26 years old at the time of his killing. Allen’s family and legal team have alleged that war crimes were committed in the deliberate targeting of Allen and the treatment of his body after his death, including trophy-style photos.

Today is the fifth anniversary of his death.

 “The U.S. Embassy renews its calls to the Government of South Sudan to conduct a credible inquiry into Mr. Allen’s death and to share its findings with Mr. Allen’s family,” reads a statement published on the Embassy’s website today.

 “It is our fervent hope that such an inquiry will help give Mr. Allen’s family the closure they deserve by holding accountable those responsible for his death.”

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a separate statement, renewing calls for action from the US government and again urged the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into Allen’s killing without further delay.

“On yet another anniversary, we again deplore the lack of meaningful action by all relevant authorities to ensure justice for the killing of Christopher Allen. No family should have to go through the painful experience that his family has endured over the past five years, of being denied justice and even basic answers about what happened. The US government’s failure to ensure accountability for the targeting of an American journalist leaves the door open for further such attacks. We call again for the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of Allen’s killing without further delay,” said Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of RSF’s US Bureau.

South Sudan ranks 128th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index.