UN calls for swift, safe return of 6 missing aid workers in S. Sudan

JUBA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian agency on Tuesday called for swift and safe return of the six missing aid workers in South Sudan following clashes between government and opposition soldiers near Raga town on Sunday evening.

Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, called on warring parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of ongoing humanitarian operations in the world's youngest nation.

"The six aid workers, including one international and five national staff, working for two international and one national aid organizations, were traveling on Raja-Wau road when they went missing," Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.

He disclosed that the aid agencies were implementing food security, livelihoods, health, and nutrition interventions in a region with some of the highest malnutrition rates in war-torn country where intermittent fighting continues unabated despite ongoing efforts to find lasting peace.

Noudehou also reiterated the requirement on all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers providing life-saving aid to vulnerable people throughout the country.

The South Sudan army (SPLA) had earlier told Xinhua that the SPLA-in opposition (SPLA-IO) rebels abducted some 10 people after they attacked two vehicles including a lorry that was moving from Raja to Mangayet which left two people dead.

SPLA deputy spokesman for the rebels, Lam Paul Gabriel said some of the missing aid workers belong to local NGO Solidarities International.

"The SPLA-IO forces also rescued four humanitarian staff whose identities and organization are yet to be established being used as shields by the government in the transportation of these military hard wares," Gabriel said, adding that the aid workers will be handed over as soon as possible to any concerned third party.

Humanitarian workers have been targeted with some being killed and others abducted by armed groups, and a total 92 aid workers have been killed in the more than four years of violence.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel chief Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 caused the SPLA-IO rebel leader Machar to flee the capital. Enditem