South Sudan: Two UN peacekeepers killed and seven injured
Two UN peacekeepers were killed, and seven others were wounded in an ambush when a patrol travelled to the remote area of Pajut in the state of Jonglei on August 24th.
Two UN peacekeepers were killed, and seven others were wounded in an ambush when a patrol travelled to the remote area of Pajut in the South Sudanese state of Jonglei on August 24th, according to Africa News AP.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) put out a statement revealing that those amongst the wounded include three peacekeepers, two members of the South Sudanese police and two civilian staffers.
Attacks against peacekeepers are considered rare, and no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.
The UN has condemned the attack, deployed a Quick Reaction Force and called for an investigation, warning that such attacks could constitute war crimes.
The incident comes amid escalating violence and fears of renewed civil war in South Sudan, with more than 450 attacks on humanitarian workers and assets reported between January and July 2026.
In May 2026, Maghrebi.org reported that humanitarian aid was being weaponised for political and military purposes in South Sudan, with both government and opposition-linked forces responsible for limiting access to contested areas.
They also reported that between January 2025 and April 2026, around 762,000 people had lost access to healthcare as a result of attacks on its facilities across the country, further highlighting the growing risks faced by civilians and aid workers amid escalating conflict.
These security risks were already evident in Jonglei. In March 2026, UNMISS defied a government order to close its base in Akobo, choosing instead to maintain a protective presence for civilians amid a planned government offensive against forces loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar.
The decision came as thousands of civilians began to flee Akobo from March 7th ahead of the planned military operation, highlighting the growing risks to civilians in the area.
The incident also follows reports from March 4th that South Sudanese soldiers were ordered to face trial over the killing of civilians in Jonglei state, highlighting wider concerns over abuses against civilians amid the country’s escalating violence.
The attack on August 24th underscores the growing dangers facing UN peacekeepers, civilians and humanitarian workers as South Sudan’s fragile peace continues to deteriorate.
Africa News AP, Maghrebi.org
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