Warrap State forms committee to investigate killing of journalist

The governor of Warrap State Kuol Muor Muor has formed a five –member committee to investigate the killing of local Journalist, Marko Agei Makor Chol in Tonj South County in July, 2020.
Late Agei Makor Chol, a journalist working for Door FM based in Tonj South County

By Awan Achiek

The governor of Warrap State Kuol Muor Muor has formed a five –member committee to investigate the killing of local Journalist, Marko Agei Makor Chol in Tonj South County in July, 2020.

Chol who worked for Door FM based in Tonj South County, was killed on July 1, 2020 while returning to his duty station from the village where he went to visit his family.

He was killed by unknown assailants whose motive remains unclear to date.

In an order issued on Wednesday, Governor Muor established a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances of Chol’s death.

“The committee is tasked to investigate the killing and report the findings to H.E the Governor within 30 days, and the committee is tasked to identify the culprits and recommend the possible action,” read the order issued by Muor.

Oyet Patrick Charles, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) welcomed the formation of the investigation committee into Chol’s murder.

“The move by the state government is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and justice for the media fraternity in South Sudan,” Oyet said in a statement.

He said the move marks the beginning of investigation into the death of other South Sudanese journalists who were killed while doing their job.

At least 12 journalists have been killed in South Sudan since 2012, and the murders remain unresolved.

South Sudan is suppressing journalists and rights activists by intimidation, surveillance and data harvesting, according to a recent report from the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.

It also warned that the clampdown on freedoms could hamper the country’s ability to conduct credible elections in 2024.

The 57-page report, released in October, includes accounts of nearly 100 state-sponsored human rights violations including intimidation, harassment, violence, arbitrary detentions and torture, as well as sexual violence against female reporters.

The Commission said the reports were corroborated by its independent investigations.

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