The government of the United States of America has announced its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the South Sudanese journalist killed in Juba on Wednesday night by unknown perpetrators.
The US government says it is ‘closely following’ attacks on press in South Sudan and is deeply concerned.
On Thursday, the spokesman of the US Department of State John Kirby said at a press briefing in Washington, “Our embassy in Juba is following this situation very closely. Our condolences, of course, go out to his family, friends, and media colleagues. We call on the South Sudanese authorities and security services to expeditiously and thoroughly investigate this incident.”
He added, “We do not want to speculate on the nature of the incident or any connections there may be to other matters.”
Kirby said, “Separate and distinct, we are obviously deeply concerned by President Kiir’s comments regarding journalists earlier this week, and we call on him to disavow those words. The United States is committed to supporting freedom of expression, including of the press. Space for media, civil society organizations, and independent voices and views are crucial to building democracy and peace.”
File/White House photo