Two U.N. peacekeepers killed in South Sudan ambush

Two U.N. peacekeepers were killed on Monday when armed men ambushed a patrol traveling to a remote area of South Sudan, the United Nations said, in a rare deadly attack on peacekeepers in the violence-plagued country. The patrol was traveling toward Pajut in Jonglei state when it came under attack, according to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS.

Seven other people were wounded in the assault, including three peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudanese police and two civilian staff members, UNMISS said. The two peacekeepers who were killed and the three wounded peacekeepers were from Ethiopia, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the ambush.

The mission said it deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and assist with the emergency response following the attack.

“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of UNMISS, said in a statement.

U.N. condemns attack

The deaths bring to nine the number of U.N. peacekeepers killed by militias since Jan. 1, Dujarric said. He warned that attacks against U.N. peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ambush and called for a prompt investigation leading to the prosecution of those responsible, Dujarric said Monday.

Guterres also reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the victims and their families following the attack.

The assault comes as South Sudan faces growing insecurity and renewed fears that the country could slide back into full-scale civil war.

Peace deal under strain

Government forces have been fighting opposition fighters and militias loyal to Riek Machar, the country’s former vice president. Machar was suspended last year and is facing charges including treason and other offenses. He has denied the allegations and said they are politically motivated.

A 2018 peace agreement between Machar and President Salva Kiir had raised hopes of ending years of devastating conflict. But the agreement has increasingly broken down, with Machar now under house arrest and political tensions continuing to deepen.

The conflict intensified in December when opposition forces seized government outposts in Jonglei. Government troops have conducted a counteroffensive since January that has included aerial bombardments and ground operations, despite official commitments to the peace agreement.

Humanitarian risks grow

The worsening security situation has also made it increasingly dangerous for humanitarian workers operating across South Sudan.

U.N. figures show that more than 450 incidents involving violence against humanitarian workers and humanitarian assets were reported between January and July. That figure is more than twice the number recorded during the same period last year.

The latest attack highlights the risks faced by international personnel working in remote areas to protect civilians and support humanitarian operations.

Calls for dialogue

The United States has urged Kiir and Machar’s sides to return to negotiations and preserve the 2018 peace agreement.

Earlier this year, Washington called for urgent action to protect the peace process and reduce the risk of a return to civil war through an immediate resumption of dialogue between the parties.

For the United Nations, Monday’s ambush adds to concerns about the security of personnel deployed to help stabilize South Sudan. The mission has pledged to continue its work despite the growing dangers.

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Keywords: South Sudan, U.N. peacekeepers, Jonglei, Riek Machar