WFP calls on S. Sudan authorities to intervene to find missing aid worker

October 19, 2014 (KAMPALA) – The World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) say they are deeply concerned for the welfare of employee Mark Diang, who was kidnapped by a group of unknown gunmen in uniform from Malakal airport in Upper Nile state on 16 October.

WFP has repeatedly urged both the state and national governments to track the whereabouts of Diang.

In a statement released on Friday, WFP says Diang was kidnapped at gun point by eight men before being driven to an unknown location.

“We are extremely concerned about his well-being,” said Eddie Rowe, WFP’s acting country director in South Sudan.

“WFP demands that his captors release our staff member unharmed,” he added.

According to UNMISS spokesperson Joe Contreras, three other workers went also missing at the same airport in an earlier incident.

In a statement on 10 October, UNMISS statement said the three workers, who are South Sudanese nationals, were adducted by gunmen dressed in civilian clothing.

Diang’s abduction has sparked criticism of the government and its allied mitilias stationed in Upper Nile state, where they are fighting against rebel forces lead by former vice-president Riek Machar.

There are unconfirmed reports that those responsible for the abduction of WFP staff are from South Sudan’s national security service, while an eyewitness claimed the perpertrators were members of pro-government militia.

Both UNMISS and WFP are calling on South Sudanese authorities “to do everything within their power to see that the captured aid worker is freed quickly and uninjured”.

This is not the first time aid workers have been targeted in Upper Nile state.

In August six aid workers were executed in Maban county, prompting the UN and other international organisations to withdraw more than 200 staff in the area.

The Mabanese Defence Force, a militia group fighting alongside the government, have been accused of instigating the killing of civilians based on their ethnic background.

Meanwhile, the British ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Lyall Grant, and the UN Security Council have warned that country’s warring parties that the killing of humanitarian personnel would likely constitute a war crime.

(ST)