Ter Manyang Gatwech, Human Rights Activist - Courtesy

The news of Emmanuel Joseph Akile’s death hit me like a punch to the chest. I reached out to him through his email and WhatsApp, only to be told minutes later that he was gone. That day, I could neither eat nor drink. I stayed home, thinking about him and the void his absence will leave in South Sudan’s media.

Emmanuel was more than just a journalist. He was a passionate, committed professional who lived and breathed his work. Whether on Eye Radio or in conversations with colleagues, he never failed to show dedication and integrity.

As a human rights activist and gender expert, I have worked with many journalists, but Emmanuel was unique. He understood people, championed fairness, and never shied away from giving voice to the marginalized.

He believed in diversity in media, ensuring that all perspectives—especially those of activists—were heard. South Sudan has lost not just a journalist, but a bridge between people and the stories that define our nation.

The gap left by his passing is immense. It will take decades—perhaps 50 years—to find someone with his dedication, professionalism, and love for the truth. He was a man who treated everyone with respect, never discriminated, and always prioritized balance in the stories he told.

To his family and young child, my deepest condolences. Emmanuel Joseph Akile was a man of the people, and his legacy will continue to inspire journalists and activists across South Sudan.

His light may have been extinguished, but the flame of his work will burn on in all of us who believe in honest, fearless journalism.