Kenyan Citizen Killed in Armed Robbery Attack in Bor, South Sudan

A Kenyan man has been tragically killed in an armed robbery attack in Bor, South Sudan.

The 28-year-old victim, who was working in the city, was shot and killed by the assailants on Monday night. This incident stresses the ongoing security challenges faced by both residents and foreigners in South Sudan. Local authorities, including the acting police commissioner in Jonglei State, confirmed the arrest of one suspect. Security forces were deployed to maintain order and apprehend the remaining perpetrators.

Roads were also been closed to facilitate the investigation. The value of the stolen goods remains undisclosed. The victim's body was transferred to a nearby morgue for autopsy purposes. While data from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) indicates a decrease in violent incidents from 2021 to 2022, the country continues to grapple with a high crime rate. UNMISS's 2023 report highlights a rise in major offences such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and conflict-related sexual violence. These crimes are often attributed to civil defence organizations and local militias.

In response to these troubling findings, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, has urged the South Sudanese government to demonstrate stronger political will and take more decisive action against impunity. He has emphasized the critical need for investigations into human rights violations and abuses, alongside holding perpetrators accountable. This is particularly crucial as lethal violence remains a major concern in specific regions of the country.

"UNMISS calls on the Government of South Sudan to demonstrate political will and step up efforts against impunity, investigate human rights violations and abuses and hold perpetrators accountable, particularly as deadly violence remains an issue of grave concern in parts of the country,” said Nicholas Haysom.