The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned the killing of one of its staff members while in detention in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal state.
In a statement on Friday, UNMISS said the staff member had been detained by security forces since 15 December 2025. The mission said it had been engaging with authorities to locate him and secure his release.
“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague,” said UNMISS Officer in Charge Anita Kiki Gbeho.
“Such killing of United Nations personnel is unacceptable. We call for an immediate and thorough investigation to understand the circumstances of his detention and subsequent death, and to ensure those responsible are held to account,” the statement added.
UNMISS emphasised that the safety and security of UN personnel must be respected.
The circumstances leading to the UNMISS staff member’s death remain unclear and the UN has called for a full investigation.
The SSPDF has not yet commented on the incident.
Sources, speaking to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, identified the staff member as Bol Rhoc, a South Sudanese national working as a language assistant with UN police.
The sources said Mr Rhoc was arrested by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) during a UN patrol in the Masna Talib area, south of Wau town. He was reportedly taken to a military headquarters, where he later died.
Local reports indicate the army was conducting an operation in the Maleng area against opposition forces at the time.