The killing of veteran journalist and recent parliamentary candidate Veronica Lucy Gordon in an ambush in Greater Mundri, Western Equatoria State, has been strongly condemned by the Female Journalists Network (FJN), the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS), and the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Alliance on Elections. In separate statements, the three organisations called for an urgent investigation into the attack and accountability for those responsible.
Gordon was killed alongside Justin Akim, a former teacher and church elder, when unidentified gunmen attacked a vehicle carrying Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) delegates along the Lui-Mundri road on Thursday evening, November 12. The attack occurred at around 7 p.m. in Miri Loko village as the delegates were returning from SPLM primaries in Lui Payam to Mundri West.
The attackers reportedly targeted the last vehicle in the convoy, killing the two occupants. Two other people were wounded, while several delegates reportedly fled into nearby bushes during the attack. Western Equatoria Caretaker Minister of Information Noah Issa stated that the identities of the attackers and their motive remained unknown.
Gordon had recently been nominated to contest for a women’s seat in the National Legislative Assembly. The Female Journalists Network (FJN) described her killing as a devastating loss to her family, colleagues, and the journalism fraternity. The organisation stressed that journalists must be able to perform their professional duties without fear of violence, intimidation, or threats to their lives.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS) also condemned the killing, describing Gordon as a veteran journalist and demanding an urgent investigation. The union’s Secretary General, Majak Daniel Kuany Alier, signed the statement, which called for a probe from the authorities concerned.
The CSOs Alliance on Elections expressed concern over the implications of the attack for democratic participation and the electoral process, particularly the participation of women in public and political life. The Alliance stated that the killing of Gordon, who had recently sought public office, was particularly alarming because violence and intimidation against women in political and public life undermine their constitutional rights and equal participation in governance.
The organisations called on national and Western Equatoria State authorities to conduct an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The killing of Gordon has raised concerns about press freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety of media practitioners in South Sudan.
Key points
- The Female Journalists Network (FJN), the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS), and the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Alliance on Elections have condemned the killing of journalist Veronica Gordon.
- The organisations are demanding an urgent investigation into the attack and accountability for those responsible.
- The killing of Gordon has raised concerns about press freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety of media practitioners in South Sudan.
