Five Journalists killed in South Sudan

By

Peter Louis

At least five journalists were killed during an attack by gunmen in Raja County of the Western Bahr El Ghazal state over the weekend.

James Marodama Benjamin, Commissioner of Raja County, a survivor of the attack on Sunday said that the dead included seven security officers, a driver and five journalists.

He added that two female journalists were among those killed on Sunday morning between Sopo and Magaya areas of Raja County bringing the total to thirteen people dead from the attack.

The Union of Journalists of South Sudan condemned the barbaric killing of innocent journalists and other civilians, urging authorities at all levels to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal Rizik Zachariah Hassan told journalists on Monday that those injured included County Commissioner James Marodoma Benjamin and his bodyguard who are under medication in Raja Hospital.

He lamented that two journalists, four women and a seven-year old child are among those killed.

Governor Zachariah accused opposition forces of having carried out the attack terming it a “violation of the cessation of hostilities” the government and the opposition had signed.

He recalled that it was the third fatal attack launched by the opposition following the arrest of twelve civilians and death of four of them on January 18th.

The journalists killed include video camera man Butrus Martine Khamis, Raja County Radio Director Musa Mohammed Ndehiya, Raja Radio Journalists Randa George, Musa Adam, and Dalia Marko.

The government of Western Bahr El Ghazal declared three days of mourning with the state flag flying at half mask.

Peter Louis

Peter Louis works as a freelance Videographer and Journalist in the Republic of South Sudan. He previously worked for Ebony TV, South Sudan Radio and South Sudan TV, Wau.