The US embassy in South Sudan has reaffirmed that all journalists in the country must be guaranteed the ability to report without fear of harassment, attacks, or arbitrary detention.
The embassy expressed the sentiments in a press release in recognition of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Saturday.
The embassy also called for a credible investigation into the 2017 death of Christopher Allen, the American‐British who was killed while working as a journalist during South Sudan’s civil war.
“We renew our call for a credible investigation that leads to accountability for the 2017 death of Christopher Allen, the dual national American‐British citizen who was killed while working as a journalist during South Sudan’s civil war,” reads the press release.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a UN-recognized international day observed annually on November 2.
The day draws attention to the level of impunity for crimes against journalists, which remains extremely high globally.
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders have this year ranked South Sudan 136th on the World Press.
The position represents a fall of 18 positions within year. South Sudan ranked at position 118 in the 2023 report.