UN condemns killing of aid worker in S. Sudan

JUBA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A UN relief official in South Sudan on Tuesday condemned the killing of an aid worker over the weekend in Bentiu town, Unity state.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Alain Noudehou also called for the immediate and unconditional release of seven others abducted by an armed group in Morobo County, Central Equatoria, on March 25.

"Aid workers risk their lives every day to provide life-saving assistance to people in need in South Sudan. I strongly condemn the targeting of aid workers and demand that those responsible for these acts be brought to justice," Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.

According to the relief official, armed men shot at an NGO vehicle clearly marked with the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID) logos, that was transporting five aid workers along Nhialdlu-Bentiu road, killing one staff working for Hope Restoration, a national NGO.

Noudehou also said CARE International staff were robbed at gunpoint while traveling in the vicinity on the same day.

The latest killing brings to 98 the number of aid workers who have been killed since the start of the conflict in December 2013, according to the UN. Most have been South Sudanese nationals.

According to the official, seven national staff from SSUHA, a national aid organization, were taken by SPLA-IO forces on March 25 while traveling in a three-vehicle convoy from Kupera County to Lainya County.

The convoy was delivering supplies to health centers serving thousands of people in need in Kupera, Limuro, Wuji and Koyoki.

Noudehou called for the immediate and unconditional release of the aid workers and strongly urged all parties to the conflict in South Sudan to ensure that the operating environment is conducive to the delivery of aid.

"These events are a reminder of the dangers that humanitarian workers face in delivering assistance each day," he added.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek 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 the outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016. Enditem