Two Ethiopian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan have been killed in an ambush, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the country.
The attack happened on Monday, August 24, in Jonglei State, where unidentified gunmen targeted a UN patrol.
Seven other people were injured in the attack. They included three UN peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian staff members.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the patrol was carrying out routine operations aimed at addressing insecurity in the area when it came under attack.
The attackers have not been identified, with the United Nations calling for an investigation to establish who was behind the incident and have those responsible brought to justice.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack and warned that targeting peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
“Attacks against UN peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law & may amount to war crimes,” Guterres said in a statement.
He also sent his condolences to the families of the two Ethiopian peacekeepers and to the people and government of Ethiopia.
The latest incident brings to nine the number of UN peacekeepers killed in malicious attacks around the world since the beginning of the year, according to Dujarric.
Kenyan Driver Killed Days Earlier
The attacks occurred barely two days after a Kenyan truck driver is reported to have been killed while transporting cargo in South Sudan.
The driver, whose identity was Ahmed Salat, died on August 22 while heading to Wau. While the turnboy managed to survive, he sustained serious injuries.
The attack prompted the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) to issue a travel alert to Kenyan truck drivers operating in South Sudan.
In the alert, the association cautioned drivers on the growing insecurity and advised them on how to be safe during travels.
Among the steps recommended included travelling in groups, restricting travel times to within 8 am and 4 pm, and obtaining police escort while moving through dangerous areas.
LoDDCA has also appealed to the South Sudanese authorities and security departments to increase patrolling along transport routes as well as providing security updates to truck drivers and transport firms.
With the increased insecurity, transporters are becoming worried due to the dependency on the roads of South Sudan in transportation of goods, especially through areas linking the country with other countries.
The United Nations, on the other hand, has called for investigations into the attack by South Sudanese authorities.