The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it is deeply troubled by reports that a South Sudanese army spokesman yesterday denied that U.S. freelance reporter and photographer Christopher Allen, who was killed while covering conflict in Kaya on August 26, was deserving of civilian status.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, CPJ called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Allen's death, and urged authorities to respect all journalists' status as civilians.
The group further said South Sudan's army, a rebel spokesman, and the U.S. Embassy in the capital Juba confirmed that Allen was killed during fighting between government and opposition troops in the town of Kaya.
CPJ pointed out that South Sudan army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang was quoted as saying that journalists who enter the country with rebel forces will not be protected.
"Anybody who comes attacking us with hostile forces will meet his fate," Koang told journalists, according to AP.