UNMISS condemns killing of staff member and calls for an urgent investigation

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns the killing today of a South Sudanese staff member in Abiemnhom in the Ruweng Administrative Area, close to the border with Warrap State and Abyei. Charles Kiir Gone, a heavy vehicle operator, was serving with the peacekeeping mission in Wau. He was reportedly killed during an attack by armed men on a relative’s home in Abiemnhom, where he was staying.UNMISS expresses its deepest condolences to Mr. Kiir’s family, friends and his colleagues and urges local and State authorities to immediately investigate the incident. “We are shocked and saddened by the killing of our colleague and offer our sincere sympathy to his loved ones for their tragic loss. This incident illustrates the real and ongoing threat to the lives of UN peacekeepers supporting South Sudan on its journey towards peace as well as members of the communities we serve,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and head of UNMISS.“We call on South Sudanese authorities to investigate this heinous crime and do their utmost to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”--Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.org