Swift Arrest Highlights Official Response
The foreign ministry of South Sudan announced that soldiers from the Fifth Division of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have detained a suspect linked to the 15 December death of UNMISS language assistant Bol Rhoch Mayol Kuol in Wau.
Sequence of Events in Wau Detention
According to officials, Kuol, a South Sudanese national, had been supporting a routine UN patrol near Masna Talib when he was taken into custody by SSPDF personnel.
Sources in Wau relate that he was moved to a nearby military base amid operations against opposition elements in Maleng, and died while under guard. The exact cause remains under investigation by both national and UN teams.
Government Condemnation and Cooperation Pledge
In a formal statement, the ministry “unequivocally condemned” the killing, called attacks on UN staff a breach of national law, and offered condolences to the family and to UNMISS.
The government added that it is taking “decisive steps” to ensure accountability and reaffirmed its readiness to share information with UN investigators.
UNMISS Reaction and Safety Concerns
UNMISS issued its own condemnation, noting that protecting humanitarian personnel is central to its 2011 mandate to safeguard civilians and monitor rights.
A senior UN official in Juba, requesting anonymity, stated, “Every attack on our staffer weakens the fragile peace efforts, yet we welcome the swift arrest as a positive signal.”
Broader Security Context in Western Bahr el Ghazal
Wau has experienced intermittent clashes since the 2016 crisis, with armed groups still active in surrounding counties.
Analysts say the latest incident underscores the tension peacekeepers navigate while supporting South Sudan’s delicate political transition, even as authorities strive to demonstrate control and partnership with international actors.
Next Steps Toward Justice
Military investigators and UNMISS specialists are expected to interview witnesses and review detention records. Officials in Juba insist the investigation will be transparent, a stance likely to shape future cooperation between the SSPDF and the United Nations.