America reacts to ‘white rebel’ remarks by gov’t spokesman

JUBA – The United States of American has condemned this morning the remarks on Wednesday by South Sudan government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth that the country had killed American journalist Christopher Allen because he was “a white rebel”.

Speaking during a function marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Wednesday in Juba, Makuei admitted that government forces killed Allen, but because he was a “white rebel” fighting alongside opposition forces in the country.

The US reporter was killed on August 26, 2017 while covering clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces which was then SPLA, and the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition.

Since then, no investigation has been made as government has repeatedly questioned Allan’s presence in South Sudan.

In a statement, the US embassy condemned the comments by the senior government official and said Makuei’s comments are irresponsible specially when they are aired during the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

“The U.S. Embassy condemns in the strongest terms the November 2 comments of Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information, regarding Christopher Allen, an American journalist killed while covering clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition in August 2017,” the US embassy said in the statement extended to Sudans Post this morning.

“Minister Makuei’s remarks would be irresponsible and reprehensible at any time but are all the more so as they were made on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,” the brief but strong-worded statement added.

It added that the American embassy “is seeking clarification as to whether these comments represent the position of the Government of South Sudan.   The U.S. Embassy once again renews its calls to the Government of South Sudan to conduct a credible inquiry into Mr. Allen’s death and to share its findings with Mr. Allen’s family.”