By Charles K Mark
Investigation Committee on the killing of American-British journalist, Christopher Allen, has extended its work timeframe to forty-five (45) days.
The committee chairperson, Justice David Charles Ali Bilal indicated October 19, 2023, as timeline to commence the probe.
Early this month, Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro named a seven-member committee tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing of the journalist.
The American-British citizen was shot in 2017 during combat between government forces and SPLM/A-IO rebels, now peace partners in the interim unity government.
The Technical Legal Expert and Chairperson of the committee announced the extension in a press release seen by this outlet yesterday.
The committee was previously given 15 working days to accomplish the task, but the committee chair, deemed that was not enough co-opting to extend their mandate to 45 days.
“This extension is due to some technical reasons, which would permit the Committee to fulfill its task comprehensively,” the press statement signed by Justice David Charles Ali Bilal read in parts.
The seven-member committee consists of Brig. Gen. Riak Bim Top, Brig. Gen. Jalpan Obyec Kir, Lawrence Kamilo Loro, George Stephen Lomeling, Ochola Paul Omal, and Brig. Gen. Alex Makelele, a rapporteur.
Mandated to investigate the cause and circumstances of the death of journalist Christopher Allen, the committee is expected to also identify, summon, and interview any relevant witnesses to the incident.
Allen was killed while covering clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition on August 26, 2017.
The UK and the US had welcomed the formation of the committee to investigate the killing of an American-British journalist but urged for a credible investigation.
The two countries urged the government to speed up the credible investigation process and ensure that the findings are made public.
“The formation of a committee must be followed by a thorough investigation that is credible. Its findings must be made public and lead to accountability,” the statement read.
Among the people who want to attain justice for the killing of journalist Christopher Allen are friends, family, and coworkers back home.