Inquiry ordered into Sudan critic's death

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JUBA, South Sudan, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- South Sudan president Salva Kiir has ordered an investigation into the killing of political commentator Isaiah Ding Abraham Chan Awuol.

Kiir ordered a "thorough investigation" by security forces Thursday into the death of Abraham, a former official in the South Sudan army turned government critic, who was killed by unknown gunmen Wednesday as he stood outside his Juba, South Sudan, home, the Sudan Tribune reported.

Suzanne Jambo, secretary for external relations with South Sudan's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement, expressed shock over the death in a statement and asked if Abraham's death is "the price of speaking bravely in the Republic of South Sudan."

Noting the country's long and bloody process to independence, an unnamed relative of Abraham told the newspaper: "We have come out from external oppressors but the internal liberation is another struggle. Killing freedom of expression is just killing the nation."