South Sudan: Two UN Peacekeepers Killed in South Sudan Ambush

What the report says

Two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven people were injured when unidentified gunmen ambushed a UN patrol in South Sudan’s eastern Jonglei state, according to UN News as republished by AllAfrica. The attack happened on Monday while the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, was traveling toward Pajut, a remote area in the east of the country.

UNMISS said it sent a quick reaction force to secure the area and help with the emergency response after the ambush. The injured included three peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudan National Police Service and two civilian staff, highlighting that the patrol involved both international and local personnel.

UNMISS chief Anita Kiki Gbeho condemned the attack and urged authorities to investigate quickly and thoroughly so those responsible could be held accountable. The mission also said violence against peacekeepers may amount to a war crime under international law. In a broader context, South Sudan has remained unstable since independence in 2011 and later civil war, and UNMISS was created to help protect civilians, support humanitarian access and back the peace process.

The incident adds to concerns about renewed violence and insecurity in South Sudan, a country where aid workers and peacekeeping personnel continue to face serious risks.