JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns Wednesday’s ambush of its peacekeepers in Western Equatoria State by elements of a local armed group, who subsequently seized a small cache of weapons and ammunition.
The incident occurred while UNMISS military personnel were conducting a patrol between Tambura and Mapuse, a statement said.
The Mission reiterates that its peacekeepers are deployed to protect civilians at a time when access and security remain fragile across Western Equatoria, particularly in and around Tambura. They must not be targeted by armed groups, it added.
The Mission further emphasizes that any attack against its peacekeepers may constitute a war crime.
According to the agency, all peacekeepers involved in the incident have returned safely to their designated Mission base.
UNMISS will continue “to conduct robust patrols across the country in line with its mandate to protect civilians.”