The Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States strongly condemn the February 9 attack on a humanitarian convoy that was being escorted by peacekeepers in Anyidi Payam of Bor South County, Jonglei State.
In a press statement shared to the media this week, Troika warned that the humanitarian workers and peacekeepers must never be targets of violence.
The Troika member countries call upon the transitional government and all those in positions of influence in South Sudan to act to ensure the security of those providing aid and support to the South Sudanese people.
“Those responsible for this unacceptable attack must be held accountable,” Troika urges in a statement extended to Golden Times.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan [UNMISS] says as the convoy passed through Macdit, 60 kilometers from Bor town, a group of armed men emerged from the bushes and one opened fire on the UN vehicles.
An UNMISS vehicle was damaged, but fortunately, there were no casualties. UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire and repelled the attackers.
“This attack threatened the lives of humanitarians delivering vital assistance to communities in need as well as peacekeepers providing protection. It is utterly unacceptable,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary General’s Special Representative to South Sudan and head of UNMISS.
“This attack threatened the lives of humanitarians delivering vital assistance to communities in need as well as peacekeepers providing protection. It is utterly unacceptable,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary General’s Special Representative to South Sudan and head of UNMISS.
“We appreciate the response of the Government of Jonglei State who rapidly dispatched a joint protection team of local forces to the location to provide support. It is important that a thorough investigation takes place and that the perpetrators are held accountable,” he said.
According to the United Nations, since 2013, 142 humanitarians have been killed in the line of duty in South Sudan.
On Sunday late January this year, peacekeepers were transporting affected civilians from a UNISFA base to a hospital came under heavy fire. A peacekeeper from Pakistan was killed, and four uniformed personnel and a local civilian were injured.
The incident happened one day after the Mission repelled an attack on the UNISFA base in Agok during which a Ghanaian peacekeeper was killed, prompting it to call for “a swift and thorough investigation”.
According to International Humanitarian Law, any intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units, or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance mission is a war crime.
The long civil wars in South Sudan gave birth to so many armed groups with direct connections to individuals serving in the government. Some armed groups in the past negotiated with the government and were awarded senior government positions.
Joining armed groups is widely viewed in South Sudan as an easy way to government position.
