By Lodu William Odiya
The United States of America has renewed its call for an investigation into the death of journalist Christopher Allen.
Christopher Allen, a dual U.S. and United Kingdom citizen, was shot dead on August 26, 2017, while covering a clash in Kaya Town, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan.
The incident occurred during the fighting between the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudan People Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).
The United States Embassy in Juba yesterday released a statement commemorating the eighth anniversary since the death of the journalist and calling for an investigation.
“August 26, 2025, marks the eighth anniversary of the death of U.S. journalist Christopher Allen in 2017.Mr. Allen was killed in South Sudan while covering the civil war between the SPLA and the SPLA in opposition,” the statement reads.
“We renew our call on the transitional government of South Sudan to conduct a credible investigation into Mr. Allen’s death and the disrespectful treatment of his remains.” The statement was noted.
However, in October 2023, the government, after years of continual international pressure from the U.S., UK, and journalistic and human rights bodies, constituted a committee to investigate Allen’s killing.
In March 2024, a long-awaited report by the South Sudan Investigation Committee concluded that Allen was killed accidentally in crossfire.
The U.S. Embassy said the findings announced on March 21 by a government committee formed to investigate the death did not comprehensively address all the factors that led to Allen’s death or the disrespectful treatment of his remains.