The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) expressed its outrage and strongly condemned the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban camp, in Northern Upper Nile.

The violence started as a peaceful protest staged by local youth at what is perceived as a lack of employment opportunities but quickly became violent and led to the attacks and looting and burning of humanitarian premises and damage to humanitarian vehicles.

On Monday, a group of local youth organized a demonstration to demand employment opportunities for the local community. The demonstrators forcefully entered UNHCR’s compound and looted its offices and residence.

 “Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017,” partly read a statement issued by JMEC.

The peace monitoring body called on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account.