1 week ago
India, UN Condemn Killing of Two Peacekeepers in South Sudan
Two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers were killed while serving in South Sudan.
Their patrol was attacked in Jonglei state on Monday.
Three other peacekeepers, two police officers and two civilian workers were hurt.
The United Nations sent a special emergency team to secure the area.
India and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack.
They want the people responsible to be investigated and punished.
The UN has not officially identified the attackers yet.
The US embassy said armed youth carried out the attack, while fighting involving the SPLA-IO has increased in Jonglei.
Two Ethiopian peacekeepers serving with UNMISS were killed in an ambush in Jonglei state on Monday.
Three peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian staff were injured.
India and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and called for accountability.
UNMISS deployed a Quick Reaction Force, while the attackers remained unidentified pending investigation.
The US embassy attributed the attack to armed youth amid increased fighting involving the SPLA-IO in Jonglei.
- Who
- Two Ethiopian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan were killed; other peacekeepers, police officers and civilian staff were injured.
- What
- A patrol was ambushed, killing two peacekeepers and injuring seven others.
- Where
- Jonglei state, South Sudan.
- When
- The ambush occurred on Monday; India and the United Nations condemned it that day.
- Why
- The stated response is to protect UN personnel, investigate the attack and hold those responsible accountable; the attackers' motive was not identified.
UN Position
US Embassy Account
Identification of attackers
UN Position
The United Nations has not identified the attackers pending investigations and is calling for a thorough inquiry.
US Embassy Account
The United States Embassy in Juba said the attack was carried out by armed youth.
Key facts
- Fatalities
- Two Ethiopian peacekeepers were killed.
- Injuries
- Three peacekeepers, two South Sudan police officers and two civilian staff were injured.
- Mission
- The personnel served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
- Response
- UNMISS deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and assist with the emergency response.
- Accountability
- Antonio Guterres called for prompt investigation and prosecution, noting attacks on UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.
- Indian contingent
- India had 1,775 peacekeepers with UNMISS as of May, the mission's largest contingent.
- Indian peacekeeper deaths
- India has recorded 161 peacekeeper deaths in UN operations, including 17 in UNMISS.
Quotes
India’s UN mission
India’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations
“India reiterates the fundamental importance of respecting the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises and personnel”
thehansindia.com
“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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