Attack on aid workers draws mixed reactions in South Sudan
A map showing where the attack happened in South Sudan
What you need to know:
- The AU Commission chairman Mousa Faki Mahamat, said the killing was a great violation of international humanitarian laws, adding that the government has a responsibility to protect aid workers.
- Deputy rebel spokesperson, Paul Gabriel Lam blamed the attack on pro-government forces, saying it occurred in an area under the control of the South Sudanese army (SPLA).
A convoy of protection forces from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), together with members of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) on Tuesday visited the location, approximately 53 kilometres outside the capital Juba, where six aid workers were killed last Saturday.
Three South Sudanese and three Kenyans working for a national non-governmental organization were killed at the Bandigilo National Park road junction, on the Juba-Pibor road, some 3.4 kilometres from the national park.
In the past two months there has been a sharp increase of attacks targeting aid workers and their premises, a development that mirrors a rapid deterioration of the security and economic situation of the world’s youngest nation. The attack brings to at least 79 aid workers killing in South Sudan since the December 2013 crisis.
The killings sparked a wave of reactions from the international community with envoys from the West condemning the act.
More than 10 Heads of Missions including the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, China, Norway, Japan, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark including the European Union (EU) issued a joint a statement on Thursday calling on Juba to investigate the incident and bring to book the perpetrators.
The envoys extended their condolences to the families and friends of the aid workers who lost their lives while on duty.
The diplomats further urged the South Sudan government to protect aid workers across the country.
“The Heads of Mission strenuously emphasise that aid workers, like other civilians, must be protected from violence and must never be the target of an attack," the statement reads. “To prevent such incidents in the future, the Heads of Mission call upon all armed actors to undertake a ceasefire in line with the Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, and to make genuine efforts to bring about peace, stability and improved humanitarian access.”
The African Union on its part faulted South Sudan government over the killing.
The AU Commission chairman Mousa Faki Mahamat, said the killing was a great violation of international humanitarian laws, adding that the government has a responsibility to protect aid workers.
Thousands of South Sudanese rely on humanitarian assistance for their survival as a result of a conflict that has crippled the economy. The conflict broke out in 2013 when government and opposition forces clashed.
South Sudanese rebels on their part called for immediate investigations into the incident saying, it constitutes a “war crime”.
Deputy rebel spokesperson, Paul Gabriel Lam blamed the attack on pro-government forces, saying it occurred in an area under the control of the South Sudanese army (SPLA).
“We are aware that the area where this barbaric incident took place is under the control of Juba regime and its militias. The SPLA -IO calls for an independent investigation into this act of terrorism and cowardice towards the innocent hard working aid workers in the country,” he said on Tuesday.
