In South Sudan’s Jonglei State, an ambush on Monday resulted in the deaths of two United Nations peacekeepers and injuries to seven others, as reported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The patrol headed toward the remote Pajut area when armed men attacked. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The two peacekeepers who lost their lives were Ethiopian nationals, with three other Ethiopian peacekeepers among the injured, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
The remaining four injured individuals included two members of the South Sudanese police and two civilian staff members.
UN Deploys Quick Reaction Force
In response to the incident, UNMISS dispatched a Quick Reaction Force to secure the location and assist with emergency measures.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of UNMISS, denounced the violence against personnel committed to supporting peace in South Sudan as unacceptable.
Such an act targeting UNMISS personnel working for peace in South Sudan is unacceptable, Gbeho stated.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the ambush and demanded a swift investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
The United Nations emphasized that attacks on peacekeepers could qualify as war crimes under international law.
Nine Peacekeepers Killed Since January
These recent casualties increase the count of UN peacekeepers killed by militias in South Sudan to nine since January 1, according to Dujarric.
While the country continues to experience significant violence, direct assaults on UN peacekeepers remain relatively infrequent.
This incident coincides with a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the country. UN records indicate over 450 incidents of violence against humanitarian workers and assets between January and July, more than double the number from the same period last year.
Fears of Renewed Civil War
The ongoing violence in South Sudan ties back to political and military tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of opposition leader Riek Machar.
Although a 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and Machar ended years of civil war, its implementation has stalled, allowing tensions to escalate.
Machar, who formerly served as vice president, is currently under house arrest on charges that include treason, which he dismisses as politically motivated.
The conflict intensified when opposition forces seized government positions in Jonglei in December. In turn, government forces responded with airstrikes and ground operations.
This worsening security situation has heightened concerns that South Sudan might return to full-scale civil war.
UN Calls for Peace
The United States and other international partners have called on South Sudan’s political leaders to engage in dialogue and abide by the 2018 peace agreement.
This latest attack has increased pressure on both the government and opposition to prevent further escalation while ensuring the safety of civilians, humanitarian workers, and international personnel.
For the United Nations, the immediate priority is securing the affected area, aiding those injured, and ensuring accountability for this deadly ambush.
