The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of a staff member in South Sudan, as the organization begins to close some of its bases in the country. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed outrage at the murder of Paul Ruot Mayuol Kuat, a local staff member working as a language assistant for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Guterres offered his deepest condolences to the victim’s family and colleagues, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to providing all possible support during this difficult time. According to the statement, Kuat was detained on December 15th near Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal by security forces before being killed by his captors.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the acting head of UNMISS, stated that she was shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of her colleague, praising his dedication to serving the people of South Sudan. “The killing of UN personnel is unacceptable,” she emphasized, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the arrest and murder, and to ensure justice for his family.
UNMISS was established in 2011 following the secession of South Sudan. Its mandate includes protecting civilians, monitoring human rights, and supporting peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts. The mission currently has over 17,000 civilian, police, and military personnel deployed across the country, operating in highly dangerous environments where communal and security violence threaten the lives of residents.
However, UNMISS faces additional challenges as it begins to close a number of its field bases due to financial pressures resulting from reduced U.S. contributions, despite the fragile security situation. This comes at a time when South Sudan is experiencing heightened political tension between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former Vice President Riek Machar, who was arrested in March. The President has also faced accusations of committing “crimes against humanity” in September.
These developments coincide with a severe humanitarian crisis, with UN data indicating that over two million people have been internally displaced, in addition to the influx of nearly one million refugees from neighboring Sudan. More than 1,800 people have been killed since the beginning of the year.
Observers believe that reducing the mission’s presence leaves civilians and UN staff more vulnerable to risk. The closure of bases raises serious concerns about the ability of UNMISS to effectively protect vulnerable populations and maintain stability in the region. The investigation into Kuat’s death is paramount to ensuring accountability and upholding the UN’s commitment to its staff and the people of South Sudan.
