Brussels, 10/04/2013 (Agence Europe) -The European Union has strongly condemned the attack on the UN convoy carried out on Tuesday11 April in South Sudan (in the east of the country), which killed twelve people, including five peacekeeping soldiers and civilian staff, as well as civilians who were being escorted by UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan). The condemnation was expressed on Wednesday by the spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who also called for a halt to the spiral of violence.
The press release explained that “the High Representative is saddened by this tragic loss of life and expresses her condolences to the families of the victims. She calls on the Government of South Sudan to conduct a full investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice”. Ashton “deplores the on-going conflict in Jonglei and urges all armed groups to respect the Government of South Sudan's appeal to lay down their weapons and to settle their differences by peaceful means”.
Since the country's independence in July 2011, ethnic rivalry has created a spiral of violence and bloody attacks. (AN/transl.fl)