Accra: Two United Nations peacekeepers lost their lives following an ambush on their patrol route to Jonglei State, South Sudan, as announced by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday. The attack, which was carried out by unidentified armed individuals, also resulted in injuries to seven others, including three additional peacekeepers.
According to Ghana News Agency, the deceased peacekeepers were of Ethiopian nationality. The incident also left two South Sudan National Police Service personnel and two civilian staff injured. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack, with his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasizing that the patrols are part of the UN's efforts to manage the ongoing insecurity in the region. Dujarric noted that the attack appears to have been targeted, although further details are still being gathered.
South Sudan has been facing significant unrest, particularly since spring 2023, with fierce fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese armed forces. The Sudanese army reclaimed control over Khartoum in 2025, but rebel forces have increased their activity in the south and west, especially in Darfur and Kordofan. In April 2025, these rebels declared the establishment of their own government in the territories they control, further complicating the region's stability.