JUBA – The Embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have strongly condemned the killing of Bol Rhoch Mayol Kuot, a staff member of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), who was forcibly detained by security forces last week in Western Bahr el Ghazal.
In a joint statement issued on 22nd December 2025, the embassies expressed their deepest condolences to Mr. Bol’s family, friends, and colleagues, describing the incident as a heinous act.
“We mourn the loss of a dedicated UNMISS staff member and stand with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Mr. Bol was detained by security actors in Western Bahr el Ghazal, and his subsequent killing has raised significant concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in South Sudan.
The embassies underscored the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel and all humanitarian workers, who play a vital role in peacebuilding and providing assistance in conflict zones.
In response to the incident, the transitional government of South Sudan issued a statement expressing its commitment to accountability and to bringing those responsible for Mr. Bol’s death to justice.
The embassies have called on South Sudanese authorities to fully honor this commitment and to take immediate and transparent steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“We urge the South Sudanese authorities to ensure that those responsible for this tragic act are held accountable,” the statement emphasized.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has also called for a thorough investigation into the incident. South Sudan has been ranked twice this year and last year as the most dangerous place in the world to be a humanitarian worker.
The killing of Mr. Bol comes amidst ongoing political and security challenges in South Sudan, where violence and instability continue to affect civilian populations. The international community has consistently called for an end to violence and for greater protection of civilians in the region.