Armed men kill aid worker near Juba

August 8, 2013 (JUBA) – A group of armed men on Monday attacked a vehicle belonging to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on a main road outside Juba, injuring two of its staff members.

One of those injured, MSF said in a statement, died from injuries two days later, while the other remains in critical condition.

The deceased, only identified as Joseph reportedly joined the organisation in 2012.

Raphael Gorgeu, MSF country manager described him as an “excellent colleague”.

“His personality and positive attitude will be missed by the whole team. His tragic death is a terrible loss for his family, MSF and for his country”, he said.

Till now, the motive of the attack on the clearly marked vehicle remains unknown

“MSF is outraged by this unprovoked attack on a humanitarian organisation that has been working in South Sudan for over thirty years,” the statement reads in part.
These kinds of incidents impact directly on the ability of aid workers to provide much needed, life-saving medical assistance, it added.

Marcel Langenbach, MSF director of operations said they have requested authorities to investigate the brutal attack that resulted in the killing of their staff members.

“We want to emphasise the need to respect international humanitarian law and on the obligation to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, their property and health facilities,” he said.

James Mande Enoka, the spokesperson for South Sudan police said they had not yet received information on the said attack.

“They [MSF] have not reported any case to us. We only comment on a matter that has reached our desk,” he told Sudan Tribune by phone Friday.

(ST)