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JUBA, (Xinhua) --
A global press freedom watchdog on
Wednesday called for an independent investigation into
circumstances surrounding the death of U.S. journalist
Christopher Allen in South Sudan.
The
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also urged
authorities in Juba to respect all journalists’ status
as civilians.
“We call for
a credible, independent investigation into the killing
of Christopher Allen so that those responsible can be
held to account,” CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela
Quintal said in a statement.
The media
watchdog said Allen, who was killed covering conflict
there on Aug. 26, was deserving of civilian status.
South
Sudan’s army, a rebel spokesman, and the U.S. Embassy in
the capital Juba confirmed that Allen was killed during
the fighting between government and rebel forces in Kaya,
near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic
of Congo.
Allen had
been embedded with opposition forces for two weeks, Col.
Lam Paul Gabriel, the rebel’s deputy spokesman said.
“Taking
photographs and reporting events is not attacking. It is
journalistic work done by civilians, who are protected
under international law,” Quintal said.
Several
journalists have since been killed during ongoing more
than three years of violence in the youngest nation in
unclear circumstances that have not been conclusively
investigated, amid international condemnation.
South Sudan
descended into violence in December 2013 after political
dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former
deputy Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka
ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar’s Nuer
ethnic group.
The 2015
peace agreement to end the violence was again violated
in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in
the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.
The conflict
has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced
millions that have sought refuge in neighbouring
countries.
.
SEE ALSO:
UN regrets death of U.S
journalist in South Sudan
South Sudan says slain
U.S journalist was fighting alongside rebels
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