The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned a violent ambush on its peacekeeping forces in Western Equatoria State, describing the attack as a serious breach of international law that could constitute a war crime.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during a routine patrol between the towns of Tambura and Mapuse, an area plagued by persistent insecurity and intercommunal violence. According to a statement released Thursday evening by UNMISS, a local armed group intercepted the peacekeepers, seized a small cache of weapons and ammunition, a routine patrol between the towns of Tambura and Mapuse, an area plagued by persistent insecurity and intercommunal violence. According to a statement released Thursday evening by UNMISS, a local armed group intercepted the peacekeepers, seized a small cache of weapons and ammunition, and then retreated and then retreated. Fortunately, no. Fortunately, no injuries were reported injuries were reported, and all personnel, and all personnel returned safely returned safely to their base to their base.
“Peacekeepers are deployed to are deployed to protect civilians protect civilians in areas where security in areas where security remains extremely remains extremely fragile,” said Priyanka Chowdhury, spokesperson for UNMISS. “They must not be targeted by any armed group fragile,” said Priyanka Chowdhury, spokesperson for UNMISS. “They must. Attacks on peace not be targeted by any armed group. Attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international lawkeepers may constitute war crimes under international law”
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Fragile Peace Amid Persistent Peace Amid Persistent Violence
The ambush underscores the Violence
The ambush underscores the volatile security landscape in South volatile security landscape in South Sudan, particularly Sudan, particularly in Western Equatoria, where armed groups in Western Equatoria, where armed groups continue to operate despite the 2018 Revitalized Peace continue to operate despite the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. The UN Agreement. The UN has repeatedly warned has repeatedly warned that political rival that political rivalries, ethnic divisionsries, ethnic divisions, and slow implementation, and slow implementation of the peace deal of the peace deal are fueling renewed hostilities and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
UNMISS emphasized that its forces remain are fueling renewed hostilities and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
UNMISS emphasized that its forces remain committed to protecting civilians and will committed to protecting civilians and will continue to conduct continue to conduct “robust patrols “robust patrols” across the region” across the region in line with its in line with its mandate mandate.
International Concern and Legal Concern and Legal Implications
The attack has sparked concern among international observers, with Implications
The attack has sparked concern among international observers, with calls for accountability and renewed efforts calls for accountability and renewed efforts to stabilize the to stabilize the region. UNMISS has region. UNMISS has not publicly identified not publicly identified the group responsible for the ambush but reiterated that the group responsible for the ambush but reiterated that targeting peacekeepers undermines efforts to restore targeting peacekeepers undermines efforts to restore peace and could lead to prosecution under international law.
As South Sudan struggles to emerge from years of civil peace and could lead to prosecution under international law.
As South Sudan struggles to emerge from years of civil conflict, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for stronger security measures, political reconciliation, and international conflict, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for stronger security measures, political reconciliation, and international support to prevent support to prevent further deterioration.
You can read the full UNMISS statement further deterioration.
You can read the full UNMISS statement on on ..
