‘Enemies of democracy’: Watchdog blames impunity as country marks 10 years since Isaiah Abraham’s killing

JUBA – A South Sudanese civil society watchdog has blamed impunity for the delay in bringing justice for the murder, in 2012, of prominent political commentator Isaiah Abraham and described his killers ‘enemies of democracy’.

Diing was murdered after he was lured out of his bedroom by unknown armed men in Juba on December 5^, 2012. The government launched an investigation alongside the US FBI but did not publish their findings.

In a statement marking ten years since Diing’s killing, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) called on the government to end impunity against political commentators and journalists.

“CEPO is taking this opportunity to add it voice for the commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of Isaiah Abraham’s extrajudicial killing by what has continued to remain as unknown gunmen. He is among other journalists who lost lives due to extrajudicial killing,” CEPO said in the statement.

“His killing is a crime against journalists because of their profession and this phenomenon of killing journalists needs to be stopped and the perpetrators of these crimes needs to be held accountable for their crimes. Impunity against journalists and activists is an act of enemies of democratic governance,” he added.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO further stressed that “the government should take proactive role in ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against journalists and activists are held accountable without any form of denial of justice, compromise or favor.”

“CEPO is urging the family of journalists and activists to take their security and safety as their personal priority,” he added.