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Three aid workers killed in S.Sudan, suspending Ebola screening: UN
JUBA, Oct 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Three aid volunteers working at Ebola
screening points along the DR Congo border were killed in clashes in South
Sudan, the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) said Wednesday.
“The IOM volunteers, one female and two males, were caught in a crossfire
during clashes that broke out” on Sunday, in Morobo County in the Central
Equatoria region, the UN agency said in a statement.
Two other male volunteers were injured, while a female volunteer and the
son of the woman who was killed were abducted.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues and we extend our
heartfelt condolences to their families and friends,” said IOM chief of
mission in South Sudan, Jean-Philippe Chauzy. According to the statement, the
IOM has suspended screening for Ebola at five sites along the border with the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
An Ebola outbreak has killed more than 2,000 people in DR Congo since
August 2018, placing the region on high alert, with cases already having
spread to Uganda.
“The safety of our personnel is paramount and will not be further
jeopardised until we secure guarantees for the security of all our personnel
operating in Morobo County,” said Chauzy.
The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA also condemned the killings in a
statement, noting it was the first reported killing of aid workers in South
Sudan since 2018.
At least 115 aid workers, mainly South Sudanese, have been killed since the
country plunged into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir
accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against him.
The conflict has left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced millions.
A peace deal was signed in September last year and a ceasefire has largely
held, but fighting in the Central Equatoria region has continued between
government forces and a holdout rebel group.
A long-delayed unity government is due to be formed by November 12, however
Machar is seeking further postponement over crucial outstanding issues.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1909 hrs