United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his latest report to the UN Security Council on South Sudan reported the number of civilians killed at the UN field base in Akobo last December to be fewer than the figure reported by others within the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). 

The base in Akobo in northern Jonglei, defended by a company of 43 Indian peacekeepers, was overrun by more than 2,000 armed civilians and defected soldiers on 19 December.

According to the UN chief’s latest report, the civilian death toll was 20 while the total death toll including slain peacekeepers was 22: “The attack resulted in the deaths of two UNMISS peacekeepers and one International Labour Organization consultant, the wounding of another UNMISS peacekeeper, the death of 19 civilians and the wounding of at least 13 other civilians.”

UNMISS initially acknowledged that more than 20 civilians sheltering inside the Akobo base were killed, but later revised downward the number without explanation.

The ‘preliminary account’ published by UNMISS on 20 December stated, “UNMISS estimates that at least 20 of the civilians who sought refuge inside the base were killed during the attack,” as well as two Indian Battalion soldiers. 

The same day, UN media from the New York headquarters ran the headline, “UN condemns Akobo attack in which 11 civilians were killed.”

Also on that date the peacekeeping mission in Juba using the Twitter handle @unmisspio, an abbreviation for UNMISS Public Information Office, stated, “UNMISS has amended the confirmed number of South Sudanese who died in the attack on its Akobo base on Thursday 19 December to at least 11.”

Later statements by the UN Security Council as well as the Human Rights Division of the UNMISS base contradicted the revised figure, putting it higher.  

In its interim report dated 21 February, the UNMISS Human Rights Division reported the total death toll was ‘likely’ to be 29: “Many civilians of Dinka origin, most likely 27, who had sought protection at the base were killed, as well as two UNMISS peacekeepers.”

‘Planned and controlled attack’

According to the initial UNMISS reporting, the attack on the Akobo base began at approximately 3:45 p.m. on 19 December. An estimated 2,000 gunmen surrounded the base and “opened fire in the direction of South Sudanese civilians of Dinka ethnic origin who had sought refuge inside the compound earlier.” 

Later the mission disclosed that it was in possession of information indicating that the attack was “well planned and that former SPLA commanders controlled all participating armed elements (armed youth, defected SPLA, SSNPS, and civilians).” 

In the wake of the assault, the peacekeeping mission abandoned the base, as well as a nearby base in Yuai, evacuating its peacekeepers by helicopter. The assailants who took over the base seized weapons, ammunition and other supplies.

The peacekeeping mission condemned the attack calling it a ‘heinous crime’ and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. 

Related coverage:

Hilde Johnson says UNMISS ‘overstretched’ and ‘desperate’ (26 Dec.)

Two UN peacekeepers and number of civilians killed inside UN base in Akobo (20 Dec.)

Photo: The remains of two UN soldiers from the Indian Battalion who were killed in the attack at Akobo in Jonglei state, 20 December 2013 (UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)