The European Union Delegation, the Heads of Mission of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, The United Kingdom, and the Heads of Mission of Canada, China, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States have issued a joint statement today condemning the killing of six aid workers in the long the Juba-Pibor road over the weekend.
The aid workers, from a Grassroots Empowerment and Development Organisation (Gredo), which works to support children released from armed groups, were attacked by unknown gunmen on Saturday.
“The Heads of Mission strongly condemn and deplore the reprehensible killing of six aid workers along the Juba to Pibor road on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased,” partly reads the statement.
The Heads of Mission called upon the government South Sudan to thoroughly investigate attack to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
They underlined the prime responsibility of the government to ensure security across the country and called on all parties to contribute to the safe, secure, and unhindered access of aid workers to people in need across South Sudan.
The Heads of Mission strenuously emphasized that aid workers, like other civilians, must be protected from violence and must never be the target of attack.
“To prevent future such incidents, the Heads of Mission call upon all armed actors to undertake a ceasefire in line with the Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, and to make genuine efforts to bring about peace, stability, and improved humanitarian access” reads the joint statement.
The diplomats welcomed the decision by the 30th Extra-Ordinary IGAD Summit that all humanitarian corridors should be immediately opened without any conditionality.
At least 79 aid workers have lost their lives in the line of duty bringing desperately-needed assistance to the South Sudanese people since the start of the conflict in 2013.
Photo: UNMISS and CTSAMM assessment team goes to scene where aid workers were killed (UNMISS/Isaac Billy)