The United Nations has issued a forceful condemnation following a deadly ambush in South Sudan’s Jonglei State that resulted in the deaths of two UN peacekeepers. The victims, both of whom were Ethiopian nationals, lost their lives while executing routine peacekeeping duties aimed at subduing local unrest.
According to UN statements, the patrol unit was traveling toward Pajut in the eastern region of Jonglei State when they were targeted by unidentified armed individuals. The violence inflicted heavy casualties. Alongside the two fatalities, seven other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity. The wounded included three additional UN peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudan National Police Service, and two civilian staff members.
In response to the assault, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) swiftly deployed a quick reaction force to secure the area, manage the emergency response, and stabilize the situation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed profound outrage over the incident. Through his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief condemned the violence in the strongest possible terms. Guterres conveyed his deepest condolences to the grieving families of the fallen peacekeepers, as well as to the government and people of Ethiopia, while wishing a full and speedy recovery to those injured.
While authorities have not yet formally attributed the attack to a specific group, initial assessments shared by UN officials indicate that the peacekeepers appeared to have been intentionally targeted. This tragic event marks a grim milestone, bringing the total number of UN peacekeepers killed in malicious acts worldwide since January 1 to nine.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Dujarric reminded the international community that deliberate attacks directed against UN personnel can constitute war crimes under international law.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the head of UNMISS and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, echoed these sentiments, labeling the violence completely unacceptable. She stressed that personnel are deployed to South Sudan strictly to support peace, protect civilians, and assist vulnerable communities. Gbeho formally urged relevant national authorities to launch an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice.
