WFP trucks convoy carrying food aid. (Photo: UN video capture).

The United States, United Kingdom and Norway have “strongly” condemned the attack against a humanitarian convoy in Bor South of Jonglei State, reiterating calls on the government to protect aid workers delivering lifesaving assistance.

A humanitarian convoy escorted by United Nations peacekeepers came under fire from unidentified gunmen in Anyidi Payam of Bor South County in Jonglei State, on Friday.

UNMISS said the aid mission was passing through Macdit, 60 kilometers from Bor town, when a group of armed men emerged from the bushes and started shooting at the UN vehicles.

The peacekeeping mission said one of its vehicles was damaged, but there were no casualties. It added that UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire and repelled the attackers.

Reacting to the incident, the embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States in Juba said they strongly condemn the February 9 attack.

“Humanitarian workers and peacekeepers must never be targets of violence,” the Western countries said in a press statement.

“We call upon the transitional government and all those in positions of influence in South Sudan to act to ensure the security of those providing aid and support to the South Sudanese people.”

The Troika added that those responsible for this unacceptable attack must be held accountable.

Jonglei State Police Commissioner Major General Elia Costa confirmed the incident, adding that the aid convoy was heading to the Pibor Administrative Area when it was attacked.

“It was a World Food Program convoy that was moving from Bor Pibor. The delegation was ambushed and shot at on the way, but no one was hurt, and the convoy reached Pibor,” Costa said.

The police official said the perpetrators have not yet been identified.

He blames the UN agency and the UNMISS peacekeepers for embarking on the journey through the insecure highway without informing the state government to provide security escort.

“According to what we agreed on, the regular forces were supposed to accompany the convoy to the Pibor border, but they did not inform us of the trip and moved without informing us.”

“When we reported the news and tried to follow them, we learned that they had fallen into an ambush.”

For his part, Bol Deng Bol the Executive Director, of INTREPID South Sudan condemned the incident and called on the government and UNMISS to closely coordinate the movement of humanitarians to ensure their safety.

“I urge UNMISS and the government of the greater Bibor Administrative Area. They should work collaboratively. They should work together,” Deng said.

“If the UN has offered to protect humanitarian convoys, this protection should also come from the government. They should work together. Their forces should come together and escort these humanitarian convoys wherever they are going within Jonglei state or crossing to the other side of the border administrative area.”

Hours after the ambush, Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary General’s Special Representative to South Sudan and head of UNMISS described the attack as unacceptable.

“This attack threatened the lives of humanitarians delivering vital assistance to communities in need as well as peacekeepers providing protection. It is utterly unacceptable,” said Haysom.

The UNMISS chief commended the “rapid” response of Jonglei State government by dispatching a joint protection team of local force to the scene to provide support.

“It is important that a thorough investigation takes place and that the perpetrators are held accountable.” he added.

A 2023 report by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ranked South Sudan as the most dangerous country for aid workers in the world, with 40 attacks and 22 aid workers killed that year.