UN condemns killing of civilians in S. Sudan ambush

January 27, 2015 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned Sunday’s killing of civilians, five of them journalists, in a roadside ambush in Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

In a statement issued Wednesday, UNMISS said unidentified gunmen reportedly opened fire on a two-car convoy travelling to Raja from Western Bahr El Ghazal.

Raja county commissione James Benjamin was travelling in the convoy, along with a team of local journalists when they were attacked by the unknown gunmen.

“The vehicle was attacked in the country’s western region between Sepo and Magaya,” UNMISS said, adding that this was the second such roadside ambush to occur in the past two weeks.

The UN has called upon local, state and national authorities to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

The Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS) and Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) have also condemned the attack, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

(ST)