Journalists Killed in 2015 - Motive Confirmed: Randa George

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

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

According to reports, the two-car convoy was traveling between the towns of Raga and Sepo 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.

George 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.