Two UN Peacekeepers Killed in Ambush in South Sudan’s Jonglei State

GOOBJOOG NEWS | JUBA: Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and seven other people injured when a UN patrol came under attack by unidentified armed men in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Monday.

The patrol was travelling towards Pajut when it was ambushed, according to UNMISS. Three other peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudan National Police Service and two civilian staff were also wounded in the attack.

UNMISS said it had deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and assist with the emergency response.

“This deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, said in a statement.

Gbeho offered condolences to the families of the two peacekeepers killed and called for a prompt and thorough investigation to identify those responsible.

The UN mission warned that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, including international humanitarian law.

The incident adds to growing security concerns in Jonglei, one of South Sudan’s most volatile states, where communal violence, armed attacks and road ambushes have repeatedly disrupted humanitarian operations and displaced civilians.

In June, five humanitarian workers were killed when a clearly marked aid convoy was ambushed in Duk County, also in Jonglei. Four others were injured in the attack, according to the United Nations. The UN subsequently reported that more than 760 civilians had been killed across South Sudan between January and March, an 89% increase from the previous quarter, highlighting the deteriorating security environment.

UNMISS has continued to increase patrols and engagement with communities in Jonglei, where recent UN reporting has highlighted persistent conflict, displacement and difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance. A UNMISS patrol to Pading earlier this month found displaced families struggling to rebuild their lives after years of violence.

The latest attack also follows an earlier ambush in March in which unidentified armed elements targeted an UNMISS convoy travelling between Akobo in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. No UN personnel were injured in that incident.

UNMISS, which has around 12,000 peacekeepers and civilian personnel in South Sudan, is mandated to protect civilians, support humanitarian access and assist efforts to implement the country’s peace process.

Authorities have yet to identify those responsible for Monday’s attack or establish a clear motive. UNMISS said investigations should establish the circumstances surrounding the ambush and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.