Five aid workers killed in ambush in South Sudan
The United Nations condemned the attack in Jonglei State and said the convoy was clearly marked as humanitarian.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Five humanitarian workers were killed when a convoy came under attack in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, according to the United Nations. The deaths add to a growing toll on aid staff in a country facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Tuesday that the convoy was operated by a local partner and was ambushed on Monday in Duk County. He said four other people were injured and that several civilians were also reported killed or wounded.
Dujarric said the UN was “deeply saddened” by the killings and joined South Sudan resident and humanitarian coordinator Ramanathan Balakrishnan in condemning the attack. He said UN colleagues reported that the convoy was clearly marked as humanitarian.
The spokesperson called for a prompt investigation. He said attacks on humanitarian workers are unacceptable and violate international humanitarian law.
According to Dujarric, 29 humanitarian workers and contractors have been killed in South Sudan since January. He did not identify who carried out Monday’s attack.
Convoy was returning from training, foundation says
The John Dau Foundation, whose convoy was attacked, said in a Facebook statement that the vehicles were travelling between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Panyang Payam in Duk County. The foundation said the convoy was carrying staff who had returned from a World Food Programme-supported training session.
The foundation said the incident was the most grievous chapter in its history, after what it described as significant losses over the years. It called for prayers, solidarity and support for the bereaved families and the wider JDF community.
Duk County lies in Jonglei State, an area that has seen repeated violence in South Sudan. The UN did not provide further details on the circumstances of the ambush or the identities of those killed.
UN reports broader rise in violence
In separate remarks, Dujarric said the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, had released a report documenting more than 760 deaths between January and March. He said that figure represented an 89 percent increase compared with the previous quarter.
Dujarric also said UNMISS recorded a sharp rise in conflict-related sexual violence. He said Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN secretary-general’s special representative and head of UNMISS, called on all parties to meet their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
South Sudan has faced repeated deadly conflicts since becoming independent in 2011. The violence has helped drive a severe humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.