Norway condemns killing of aid worker in South Sudan

‘I condemn the killing of a Norwegian People’s Aid employee in South Sudan yesterday,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

The aid worker was shot and killed in Maban in Upper Nile State, South Sudan. The security situation in the area has deteriorated significantly over the past few days, with clashes between local militia and soldiers who have deserted from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

‘Our thoughts go first and foremost to the family of the deceased and his colleagues at Norwegian People’s Aid. The killing of aid workers who are helping to alleviate the consequences of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is totally unacceptable. Moreover, there is also credible information that the aid worker was killed because of his ethnic background, which makes this incident even more serious. Crimes such as this serve only to perpetuate a vicious circle of violence and revenge. We have already seen too many examples of this in South Sudan over the past six months. Norway expects a full and independent investigation of the killing and prosecution of those responsible,’ Mr Brende said.     

‘Yesterday’s killing is a stark reminder to the warring parties of the responsibility they have to bring an end to the violence and agree on a peaceful settlement. If they fail to take this responsibility seriously, there is a risk that the young state of South Sudan will sink into further chaos and violence,’ Mr Brende said.