Prominent Eye Radio journalist dies in Juba

JUBA – A prominent journalist and presenter working for Eye Radio has died in the capital Juba following a short illness, the station confirmed Tuesday.

Emmanuel Joseph Akile, a long-serving presenter of the station’s flagship morning programme, The Dawn Show, died on Tuesday at Gudele Hospital in Juba after a brief illness that saw him hospitalised for two days.

According to Eye Radio, Akile had only started his Christmas holiday leave last week before suddenly falling ill.

Earlier on Tuesday, a delegation of Eye Radio staff visited him in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to offer prayers and deliver a medical support fund provided by the station’s CEO and management.

Despite hopes for his recovery, he later succumbed to the illness.

One of his media colleagues had earlier appealed for prayers when Akile’s condition worsened.

“Dear colleagues, I would like to inform you that our beloved brother and colleague, Emmanuel Joseph Akile, the star of the Dawn Program on Eye Radio, was admitted to the ICU at Gudele Hospital early this morning around 12:41 a.m.,” the colleague said.

“He underwent an emergency operation due to damage to his pancreas and was receiving intensive medical care. In this difficult moment, I humbly called upon colleagues from different media houses to keep our beloved brother Emmanuel Joseph Akile in prayers for his healing and speedy recovery.”

For more than a decade, Akile was one of the most recognisable voices on South Sudanese airwaves, waking up listeners every morning with calm analysis and informed discussions on national affairs.

He officially joined The Dawn Show in 2016, quickly becoming a household name known for professionalism, clarity, and deep knowledge of the country’s political landscape.

Throughout his career, Akile played a key role in public information, particularly during critical moments in South Sudan’s history.

His reporting and moderation covered major peace processes, including the Addis Ababa peace talks, and more recently the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi, helping audiences understand complex negotiations shaping the nation’s future.

His death has come as a shock to colleagues and the wider media fraternity.

Eye Radio management described Akile as a committed professional whose impact will be long remembered.

“Akile was a resourceful journalist and a dedicated colleague whose contribution to the media landscape in South Sudan is immeasurable,” the statement said.

Tributes are pouring in from journalists, listeners, and public figures across the country, many describing Akile as a mentor and a prominent voice that shaped national matters.