The United Nations has evacuated peacekeepers wounded in a deadly ambush on a UNMISS convoy in Jonglei State for further medical treatment, as the mission commends South Sudanese authorities for helping ease tensions and facilitate the evacuation.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Anita Kiki Gbeho, visited the mission’s hospital in Juba, where the injured personnel were initially treated following Monday’s attack in Pajut, about 60 kilometres from Bor.
Two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded when the UNMISS convoy came under attack while operating in the area.
Gbeho said the swift response by UNMISS medical, military and civilian teams helped stabilise the wounded and coordinate their evacuation for further treatment.
“When there is an incident, there’s a strong team on the military side and a strong team on the civilian side who come together and work as one to make sure people get the medical attention required to stabilise them,” Gbeho said.
The UNMISS chief also acknowledged the response of state and national authorities, saying their cooperation was critical in reducing tensions following the attack and ensuring that the injured could be safely moved for medical attention.
According to Gbeho, authorities responded promptly to UNMISS requests for assistance and worked with the mission to prevent further escalation.
“Everyone picked up the call and worked with us to see what we could do to reduce the tensions, ensure people were removed and received the medical care required,” she said.
The attack has renewed concerns over the security of humanitarian and peacekeeping personnel operating in conflict-affected parts of South Sudan, where UNMISS and humanitarian organisations frequently travel to provide protection, assistance and other essential services to vulnerable communities.
The deaths of the two peacekeepers also highlight the risks faced by UN personnel while carrying out their mandate in remote areas of the country.
UNMISS has repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of its personnel and maintaining access to communities affected by conflict and insecurity.
The Pajut attack comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Jonglei, where armed violence and communal tensions have affected civilians and complicated humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
Gbeho’s visit to the UNMISS hospital underscored the mission’s efforts to ensure that personnel injured in the line of duty receive timely medical care while strengthening coordination between its military, civilian and medical components.
The UN has not publicly identified those responsible for the ambush, and investigations into the incident are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
For UNMISS, the incident reinforces the importance of cooperation between the mission and South Sudanese authorities in protecting peacekeepers and preventing further escalation of violence.
The mission is expected to continue engaging national and state authorities as it assesses the security situation around areas where its personnel operate.
The two deaths and injuries to seven others represent another serious setback for peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan and underline the continuing need for stronger protection of personnel working to support peace and stability in the country.