Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UN Mission in South Sudan -Credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio -14th April 2022

The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the killing of its South Sudanese staff member in Abiemnhom of Ruweng Administrative Area on Tuesday, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Abiemnom County Commissioner Matiop Dau Deng told Eye Radio shortly after the incident that the victim, Gon Kiir Gon was killed by armed raiders who attacked his residence and took his cattle.

Commissioner Dau said late Kiir, 43, was with his family in Abiemnom after taking leave from his workplace with a non-governmental organization in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, confirmed that the deceased was serving as a heavy vehicle operator with the peacekeeping mission in Wau.

“We are shocked and saddened by the killing of our colleague and offer our sincere sympathy to his loved ones for their tragic loss,” said Haysom.

“This incident illustrates the real and ongoing threat to the lives of UN peacekeepers supporting South Sudan on its journey towards peace as well as members of the communities we serve.”

The head of UNMISS urged local and state authorities to immediately investigate the incident.

“We call on South Sudanese authorities to investigate this heinous crime and do their utmost to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”