Justice delayed is justice denied. Christopher Allen’s murder probe continues

The Republic of South Sudan has formed an investigating committee "in relation to the tragic death of journalist Christopher Allen."

Christopher Allen was killed while embedded with rebels from the Sudan People's Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO). / Photo: Reuters

Christopher Allen, a dual American-British citizen and freelance journalist, was shot multiple times on August 26, 2017, while documenting a battle in Kaya, near South Sudan's border with Uganda, after being embedded with rebel troops for three weeks. He was 26 years old and carrying only a camera when killed. There is evidence that war crimes were committed in a pre-meditated targeting of Allen and the treatment of his body after his death, including using a trophy-style image. The imagery not only points to a cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of the deceased but it is also emotional torture to his family and loved ones.

The Eastern Africa Editors Society calls upon the Sudanese Government to allocate more time for a thorough investigation to the committee.