UNMISS condemns killing of civilians in ambush in Western Bahr El Ghazal State

JUBA, South Sudan, January 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) strongly condemns the killing of eleven civilians, five of them journalists, in a roadside ambush while travelling to Raja in Western Bahr El Ghazal State on Sunday, 25 January 2015.

Unidentified gunmen reportedly opened fire on a two-car convoy which was transporting the new County Commissioner of Raja, James Benjamin, including a team of local journalists.

The vehicles were returning to Raja when they came under attack between Sepo and Magaya. It was the second roadside ambush in the country in less than two weeks.

UNMISS extends its condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased for the loss of their loved ones.

The mission calls upon local, state and national authorities to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.