Barricade tape for crime scene (Courtesy)

The United States Embassy in South Sudan is calling on the government to protect aid-workers amid the recent attack on a humanitarian convoy, where two truck drivers were killed in Jonglei State.

On Friday, March 17 2023, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a convoy of 100 trucks carrying relief supplies along the Gadiang-Yuai road.

The incident directly resulted in the killing two contractors of the World Food Program.

“We join international partners in condemning the March 17 attack on a World Food Programme convoy in Jonglei State in which two people were killed and several others injured,” the statement said.

“We offer our condolences to the families of the victims. We call on the leaders of the transitional government of South Sudan and its security forces to prevent attacks on humanitarian aid workers and staff.”

The latest attack has cut off more than one million people from desperately needed assistance as WFP  temporarily pause its convoy movement out of Bor, according to the UNOCHA.

The Humanitarian Community in South Sudan said earlier that it is appalled by the incident and called for justice for the slain drivers.