UNMISS staff allegedly killed by security forces in Wau

JUBA — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned the killing of one of its national staff members in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, calling the incident a grave violation of international norms and demanding an immediate and thorough investigation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, UNMISS confirmed that the staff member, whom the mission did not identify by name, had been detained by security actors since December 15, 2025, and was later found dead while still in custody. The mission said it had been actively engaging with relevant authorities during the period of detention in an effort to locate the staff member and secure his safe release.

“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan strongly condemns the killing of one of its staff in Wau,” the statement read, describing the incident as a “heinous act” that has shocked the mission and the wider UN community.

UNMISS said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss and extended its condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and colleagues. The killing has raised serious concerns about the safety of United Nations personnel operating in South Sudan, particularly in areas where security forces exercise broad powers of arrest and detention.

Reacting to the incident, the Officer-in-Charge of UNMISS, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, expressed devastation over the loss and stressed the need for accountability.

“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague,” Ms. Gbeho said. “Such killing of United Nations personnel is unacceptable.”

She called on the authorities to act swiftly to establish the facts surrounding the staff member’s arrest, detention, and subsequent death.

“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation to understand the circumstances of his detention and subsequent death, and to ensure those responsible are held to account,” she said.

Ms. Gbeho further emphasized that the protection of UN personnel is not optional but a legal obligation. “It is imperative that the safety and security of United Nations personnel is respected,” she added.

UNMISS did not disclose whether the detention of the staff member was linked to his official duties or stemmed from an incident unrelated to his work, saying the circumstances remain unclear and require urgent clarification by competent authorities.

The killing comes amid ongoing concerns by international partners and human rights organizations over arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and the conduct of security forces in parts of South Sudan. Attacks or harm against UN personnel are considered serious violations under international law and can constitute criminal acts.

UNMISS reiterated its expectation that South Sudanese authorities will cooperate fully with investigations and take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents in the future