South Sudan regrets attack on humanitarian convoy in Jonglei

February 11, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Sunday regretted the attack on a humanitarian convoy in Jonglei state, pledging to trace and hold accountable perpetrators.

An unidentified gunmen carried out the attack on Friday, causing wider condemnation from national and state authorities.

 The office of the governor of Jonglei on Saturday issued a statement condemning the incident and pledged to work together to trace, identify, and hold accountable those behind the attack.

The spokesman of South Sudan police services also issued a statement confirming the incident and pledged to identify perpetrators.

Following the incident, foreign diplomats and heads of the organizations issued statements, calling on authorities to ensure the safety and security of the humanitarian workers.

The embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States on Sunday joined the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in strongly condemning the 9 February attack on a humanitarian convoy that was being escorted by peacekeepers in  Bor South County’s Anyidi Payam in Jonglei State.

The ambush happened in the Macdit area, situated 60 kilometers from Bor Town, when armed men emerged from the bushes along the road and one of them opened fire on a convoy of UN vehicles.

No casualties were reported as UNMISS peacekeepers promptly returned fire and repelled the attackers.

“Humanitarian workers and peacekeepers must never be targets of violence,” the Troika said in a statement.

“We call upon the transitional government and all those in positions of influence in South Sudan to act to ensure the security of those providing aid and support to the South Sudanese people,” it added.

The Torika said those responsible for this unacceptable attack be held accountable.

As the convoy passed through Macdit, 60 kilometers from Bor town, a group of armed men emerged from the bushes and one opened fire on the UN vehicles.

The UN mission also issued a statement strongly condemning an attack on a humanitarian convoy that was being escorted by peacekeepers in Aniydi Payam of Bor South County of Jonglei State.  the statement An UNMISS vehicle was damaged, but fortunately, there were no casualties. UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire and repelled the attackers.

“This attack threatened the lives of humanitarians delivering vital assistance to communities in need as well as peacekeepers providing protection. It is utterly unacceptable,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary General’s Special Representative to South Sudan and head of UNMISS.

“We appreciate the response of the Government of Jonglei State who rapidly dispatched a joint protection team of local forces to the location to provide support. It is important that a thorough investigation takes place and that the perpetrators are held accountable,” he said.

Statistics from the  Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, show that four aid workers were killed since the beginning of 2023 in South Sudan in the line of duty. In 2022, nine aid workers were killed while delivering life-saving assistance compared to five in 2021. Since 2013, 142 humanitarians have been killed in the line of duty.

(ST)