S. Sudan: UN condemns killing of three more aid workers

By Parach Mach

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - The United Nations on Saturday has expressed shock and outrage after killing of three more aid workers in South Sudan’s town of Wau, less than a month after six were slain in one deadly accident since the world’s youngest nation descended into civil war in 2013.

In a written statement issued, Eugene Owusu, the UN’s humanitarian chief in South Sudan, said: “Just last week, I appealed for an end to the targeting of innocent people in this conflict and yet yesterday I learned that three porters were heinously killed while making their way to a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in the midst of security operations in Wau town on 10 April. I am appalled by this abhorrent act and demand an urgent investigation to identify those who are responsible and bring them to account.”

The victims were killed on April 10 as they were making their way to a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in the midst of security operations in Wau town, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) following clashes between government troops and opposition forces backing former vice president Riek Machar.

“There are no words left to explain the level of frustration and outrage I feel regarding the continued attacks against humanitarians in South Sudan who are simply trying to help the civilians who are suffering as a result of this conflict,” said Owusu.

The deaths bring the number of aid workers killed in South Sudan to 82. Fourteen aid workers have already been killed in 2017, compared to 24 in all of 2016.

Separately, 60 humanitarian workers have had to relocate from multiple locations in South Sudan’s Jonglei Friday and Saturday due to intensified conflict in the area.

“I call on the parties to the conflict to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure the proportionality of their actions,” Owusu added.

South Sudan has been driven by violence since 2013, when President Salva Kiir accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar following a political split within the country’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The power struggle turned violent, mostly along ethnic lines.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced 3 million from their homes and left 5.5 million at the risk of starvation.