US government urges South Sudan to ‘expeditiously’ investigate aid convoy attack

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has urged South Sudan’s counterpart to investigate this week attack against a aid convoy in the country’s Lakes state.

On Monday, a World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy traveling via the River Nile was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Lake Shambe in Lakes state.

As a result, two people were wounded and one person is missing, and presumed dead.

In a statement on Friday, the US state department said it is concerned about  the repeated attacks against aid workers in the world’s youngest country saying such attacks undermine humanitarian access.

“Humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan and throughout the region work under extremely challenging conditions to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable men, women, and children.  This is the second attack on humanitarian cargo vessels in this area in the past two months,” the statement said.

“We call on the Government of South Sudan to investigate this attack fully and expeditiously and provide the security necessary to ensure the safety of aid workers who are delivering critical life-saving services and assistance,” the statement added.

It further added that the government of United States “continue to stand with the South Sudanese people to help address their ongoing humanitarian needs and demonstrate the long-term commitment of the U.S. Government and international community to South Sudan’s stability.”