Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed and seven other people injured on Monday when unidentified armed men ambushed a UN patrol travelling to Pajut in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, the U.N. mission said.
The seven injured included three peacekeepers, two South Sudan National Police Service personnel and two civilian staff, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj.
UNMISS said it had deployed a quick reaction force to secure the area and support the emergency response.
“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, said in the statement.
Gbeho offered condolences to the families of the peacekeepers killed and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
UNMISS said attacks on U.N. peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law, including international humanitarian law.
Gbeho called on the relevant authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
South Sudan has faced renewed violence in several parts of the country despite a fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war.
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