UN demands safe release of abducted personnel in S. Sudan

October 19, 2014 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned the recent abductions of its personnel in Upper Nile state, demanding safe release of those being detained.

A sniffer dog inspects a UN vehicle in South Sudan (UN photo)

An unidentified armed group of 15-20 uniformed and civilian clothed men reportedly seized three contractors employed by UNMISS, who were working at Malakal airfield on 10 October and drove them away in a truck.

Two of abductees were released on 11 October while the other was still in detention.

In a separate incident, a staff of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was on 16 October seized by another group of armed men at the same airfield as he boarded a UN flight and was still missing.

“UNMISS strongly condemns these abductions and demands the safe release of the missing individuals,” UNMISS said in a statement.

It added that there is still a lack of clarity on the identity of the abductors, and various authorities and commanders have assured the mission and WFP of all efforts to track down the abductors and secure the release of the two abducted individuals.

The mission, however, emphasized the responsibility of the Government of South Sudan under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Organization, to protect UN personnel, “irrespective of the identity of the abductors.”

According to the world body, efforts are in place to secure the release of the abductees, in addition to the involvement of authorities and commanders undertaking similar tasks.

(ST)