South Sudanese pay tribute to murdered writer Isaiah Abraham
Unknown gunmen shot Isaiah Abraham in front of his home last month, sparking public outrage and raising questions about freedom of expression in the new country.
Fellow writers described the 50-year-old as a fallen martyr for freedom” at a gathering to honour the influential blogger and opinion writer.
We are here to mark the death of a nationalist of new South Sudan.”
We are here to mark the death of a nationalist of new South Sudan,” said Taban Lioyong, a renowned author. He said that it was important for all opinion writers to feel free to express their views.
Abraham, who had fought in the former Sudan People Liberation Army for his country’s independence, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the early hours of December 5, 2012. A week before the shooting, unknown men threatened to kill him unless he stopped writing, his family said. It is the first time a journalist has been killed since South Sudan became independent in 2011, although reporters complain of harassment and detentions.
In his last piece, published by the Paris-based Sudan Tribune website, Abraham tackled the contentious issue of South Sudanese relations with Sudan, its long standing enemy. He called on President Salva Kiir to improve relations with its neighbour and halt support for rebel groups there, something South Sudan has repeatedly denied, despite evidence to the contrary.
Nhial Bol Aken, Editor-in-Chief of The Citizen newspaper, said the murder of Isaiah Abraham would not silence writers who were determined to make their voices heard.
Those attending the gathering encouraged South Sudanese journalists to defend their right to freedom of speech and continue to express their political views and convictions, regardless of censorship.
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South Sudanese civilians continue to shun security forcesIsaiah Abraham left behind two wives and five children and will never see the progress of the nation he was striving to shape, remarked Pastor Joseph during the occasion, and described him as a missionary,” saying his life was ended by the forces of devil”.
Joseph Abuk, a famous South Sudanese play writer, said South Sudan is typical of a fledgling democracy in its need to safeguard press freedoms. He urged the government not to repeat the same errors as its neighbour Sudan, which has a dire record for repressing and censoring journalists. But in South Sudan, where guns are widespread and the military comprises a hotchpotch of young former fighters, many journalists report encounters with heavy handed security agents.
Several journalists have been intimidated after criticising the South Sudanese authorities.
Among a wave of indignation, international human rights organisations denounced Abraham’s murder. The way this case is handled will be test for freedom of information and free speech in this young nation,” said a spokesperson from Reporters Without Borders after the shooting. Only a tireless fight against impunity for crimes of violence against journalists and other news providers will preserve these freedoms, which are the basis of democracy.”
As South Sudanese lawmakers hammering out a Media Law, many journalists worry they are working in a legal vacuum, leaving them exposed to the whims of security forces.
We are at risk,” the writer Bany Gideon said. It doesn’t matter whether you are an opinion writer or a journalist.”
