The United Nations has sharply condemned the killing of six aid workers in South Sudan.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Jens Laerke said this was the deadliest single assault on humanitarian staff in the country.
“We do not have a lot of details at this point. We have clearly called for an investigation of what has happened. Those who are responsible for these murders must be held to account. We do acknowledge that it may be difficult in the current circumstances, because it is a country which is in the depth of a very, very vicious war but of course those who are responsible must be held to account, given not least the fact that if it is an intentional attack on aid workers, it may constitute a war crime.” Said Jens Laerke
The six were ambushed as they were travelling from the capital Juba towards the remote town of Pibor.
The government says it’s too early to say who was behind Saturday’s ambush. In the statement the UN also said the attack could constitute a war crime and must be investigated.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Saturday’s attack has risen to nine.
This is after an army officer injured in the incident succumbed.The army says investigations are still underway- and the identity of the killers is not known.
The army also added that the aid workers left Juba without seeking security advice or permission.
According to a statement, the aid workers had been stopped at a military checkpoint and given an escort – but they drove too far in front and then ran into an ambush.
The attack took place near the town of Mangalla, along the Nile around 75 kilometres north-east of the capital. The area is government controlled though several militia groups operate there.
