Two UN peacekeepers confirmed dead and several wounded after ambush in South Sudan – JURIST
Two UN peacekeepers on Monday were killed in an ambush in South Sudan’s eastern Jonglei state in an attack that the organization has stated may constitute a war crime under international law, the latest in a region marred by severe military conflict.
The attack comes amidst a widespread civil conflict in South Sudan dating back over ten years. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) operates in the nation under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, with the stated goal “to prevent a return to civil war and an escalation of violence, facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitor and report on human rights and the peace agreement.”
Monday’s ambush struck a patrol traveling toward the remote area of Pajut, killing two Ethiopian peacekeepers and wounding seven others. UNMISS said that it deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and allow for emergency medical response. This marks the eighth and ninth peacekeepers to be killed in South Sudan this year.
The head of UNMISS, Anita Kiki Gbeho, described the killings as “unacceptable” and called for “a thorough and prompt investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.” UN Officials have noted that Monday’s ambush may constitute a war crime. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), war crimes include “Intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance or peacekeeping mission in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations…” Under Article 77 of the Rome Statute, international war crimes may carry a punishment of life imprisonment “when justified by the extreme gravity of the crime.”
Last week, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported rising violence as the country is set to hold its first elections since its 2011 independence. This follows warnings that global rollbacks of humanitarian assistance in the region may lead to additional volatility and armed conflict.
The murder of peacekeeping personnel is prohibited under Rule 33 of Customary International Law and mandates that parties in an armed conflict should be able to distinguish between legitimate combatants and peaceful UN personnel.