U.S. Rejects Investigation Report into Journalist Allen’s Death

By Okech Francis

The U.S. has rejected the investigation report of the South Sudan government into the death of journalist Christopher Allen, a dual U.S. and UK citizen saying the findings do not address every aspect of the death.

The government issued a report last month noting that Allen was killed in “crossfire”.

The March 21 report, said Allen had entered South Sudan illegally and was not wearing any protective or press identification clothes at the time of the fighting between government forces and the then-rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army- in Opposition, in Kaya, a town on the Ugandan border. 

“The subsequently released report does not address in a comprehensive manner all the factors that led to Mr. Allen’s death or the disrespectful treatment of his remains,” a statement issued yesterday on the U.S. State Department website said.

“We renew our call on the transitional government to conduct a credible investigation into Mr. Allen’s death and to demonstrate the political will to take accountability seriously.”