Press release (text and audio): South Sudan government “needs to investigate and apprehend killers” of aid workers

UNMISS chief David Shearer urges the South Sudan government to "investigate and apprehend" the killers of six aid workers UNMISS South Sudan

UNMISS chief David Shearer strongly condemns the killing of six aid workers, calling it "utterly reprehensible".

26 Mar 2017

Press release (text and audio): South Sudan government “needs to investigate and apprehend killers” of aid workers

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The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, David Shearer has urged the South Sudanese government to investigate and apprehend the killers of six aid workers on Saturday.

The staff from a national non-governmental organization were reportedly ambushed in their vehicle in a government-controlled area on the Juba-Pibor road on Saturday morning. Their bodies were found on the road by others members of the convoy who were some way behind.

“The United Nations condemns this appalling and pointless loss of life,” Mr Shearer said. “This cold-blooded killing is utterly reprehensible, not least, because these aid workers were dedicated to alleviating the ongoing suffering of the people of South Sudan. 

“I would like to send my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of these dedicated aid workers,” he added.

Their deaths bring the total number of aid workers killed in South Sudan since 2013 to around 80, “an indication that the country is one of the most dangerous places in the world in which to be a humanitarian worker,” Mr Shearer said.

In the past two months there has been a sharp increase of attacks on aid workers and their premises mirroring a rapid deterioration in the security and economic situation of the country.

“The latest attack occurred in areas controlled by the South Sudan government,” Mr Shearer added. “The Government needs to investigate and apprehend the offenders.

“They should not be allowed to go unpunished. Young men are being armed without training and are able to act with impunity by all sides.”

The Special Representative who is also the head of the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, called for an immediate and complete ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks. “Otherwise,” he said, “the country will continue to fracture leading to yet more uncontrolled violence.”

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