Five aid workers have been killed in an ambush in South Sudan Articles of Controversy

The UN is ‘deeply saddened’ by Monday’s attack in Jonglei State, calling for an investigation.

The United Nations has said it is “deeply saddened” by the killing of five aid workers after their team ambushed them in South Sudan.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a press conference on Tuesday that the five aid workers were among the people they worked with before they were abducted on Monday in Duk County, Jonglei State.

“Four others were injured, and several civilians were killed or injured,” Dujarric told a news conference.

“We join our resident and humanitarian director, Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, in strongly condemning this attack,” Dujarric said, adding that his UN colleagues said, “their organization has been recognized as a humanitarian”.

The spokesman called for an “urgent investigation” into the attacks, saying that “attacks on humanitarian workers are unacceptable and violate international law”. He added that since January, 29 humanitarian workers and contractors have been killed.

In addition, the John Dau Foundation (JDF), whose group was killed, said in its Facebook statement that the group was traveling between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Panyang Payam in Duk province and was carrying workers who had returned from a training session with the World Food Program when they were attacked.

“Although the JDF has suffered a lot over the years, this incident represents the saddest chapter in the history of our movement,” he said.

“We appeal to all stakeholders, partners, and the general public to extend their prayers, solidarity, and support to the bereaved families and the entire JDF family at this difficult time,” it added.

In a separate statement, Mr. Dujarric said that the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) released a new report that recorded that more than 760 people were killed between January and March, an increase of 89 percent compared to the previous quarter.

He said UNMISS had also documented a sharp rise in conflict-related violence.

“The special representative of the secretary-general and the head of the mission, Anita Kiki Gbeho, called on all parties to comply with their obligations in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights,” Dujarric said.

Since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, South Sudan has been in the midst of serious conflicts, which have caused some of the biggest problems in the world.