Raja FM
January 25, 2015, in Western Bahr al Ghazal state, South Sudan

Marko, a reporter for the local radio station Raja FM, was among five journalists killed when unidentified gunmen ambushed an official convoy in South Sudan's Western Bahr al Ghazal state, according to news reports.

According to reports, the two-car convoy was returning from Sepo to Raja when the assailants opened fire on the vehicles from both sides of the road. Witnesses reported that the victims were shot and attacked with machetes before being set on fire.

The journalists were accompanying James Marodama Benjamin, commissioner of Raja county, on a visit to families of individuals killed in another attack by unidentified gunmen on January 22 in Sofo town, local journalists told CPJ.

Marko was one of five journalists killed in the attack. There were 11 victims in total, according to reports. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

While a spokesman for the South Sudanese army, Phillip Aguer, claimed that Ugandan rebels were responsible, state Governor Rizik Zachariah suggested that the perpetrators were likely part of the rebel group led by former Vice President Riek Machar, according to news reports.

Conditions for the press in South Sudan, difficult since the country gained independence in 2011, have deteriorated further since civil war broke out in December 2013, according to CPJ research.

Medium:Radio
Job:Broadcast Reporter
Beats Covered:Politics, War
Gender:Female
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:No
Type of Death:Murder
Suspected Source of Fire:Political Group
Impunity:Yes
Taken Captive:No
Tortured:No
Threatened:No

Disclaimer: © Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ.

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.