S. Sudan: Senior WFP official killed in Jonglei state
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April 26, 2011 (JUBA) - Unknown assailants on Thursday shot dead a
senior from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) official in
Jonglei state, raising more fears of escalating insecurity in South
Sudan ahead of its independence declaration due in July.
Santino Pigga Wani, who worked as WFP’s senior programme assistant was
ambushed by his attackers in Duk County of Jonglei state, while on a
mission with members of the organization’s cooperating partner, Joint
Aid Management (JAM).
“It is with profound sadness that the United Nations World Food
Programme (WFP) today confirmed the death of one of its staff members
in a fatal attack in Southern Sudan,” a statement on WFP’s website
said.
Further, Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. condemned Santino’s murder
saying "These incidents demonstrate complete disregard for the safety
and security of humanitarian personnel and I condemn them in the
strongest possible terms".
She also voiced grave concern for the safety of two missing staff of
the International Organization for Migration and called for their safe
return. They went missing after being forced to drive into an area of
active conflict on 19 April.
The motive of the killing, according to sources within the
organization, still remains unknown, although his death has been
linked to a failed robbery attempt.
Born in Western Equatoria state, the deceased reportedly joined WFP in
2004, serving in various positions within the organization until he
was promoted to the post he held prior to his death.
In an email sent to Sudan Tribune, Amor Almagro, WFP’s Sudan public
information officer said the organization regrets his untimely death.
WFP’s Sudan country director, Amer Daoudi could not be reached for a
comment on the matter.
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency and currently provides
food assistance to 1.5 million people in South Sudan, assisting
returnees to the south, and helping communities to recover from
decades of instability and conflict.
Sudan is categorized by the UN as a low-income, food-deficit country
and ranks as number 147 out of 177 countries and territories on the
2007/8 Human Development Index.
South Sudan is due to become independent in July after voting
overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum agreed as part of a
2005 peace deal. Despite the deal the region has been blighted by
insecurity caused by cattle raiding and conflict over resources. Since
last year’s elections there are now seven armed groups fighting the
southern government, over grievances from alleged electoral fraud to
corruption and bad governance.
(ST)
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