South Sudan government ruled out Wednesday any steps for an investigation into the killing of a US freelance journalist in the town of Kaya near the Ugandan border over the weekend.

Christopher Allen, 26, was killed in clashes between government forces and rebels on Saturday.

Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters in Juba that Allen had been denied entry into South Sudan because of hostile reporting.

He further said the late American journalist entered South Sudan illegally and decided to work with rebels.

Makuei pointed out that Allen died together with some of his rebel colleagues. “As a government of South Sudan, Allen was killed in combat or was killed in action … Allen died side by side with some of his rebel colleagues,” he said.

“There are people who are still calling for investigations. I am failing to understand who is that to be investigated?” He asked.

However, Makuei sent condolences to the family and friends of Allen. “As a government of South Sudan we pass our condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Christopher Allen,” he said.

Allen’s body was handed over to the US embassy in the capital, Juba on Tuesday.