Oil worker killed at the UN Based in Bentiu, Unity State

Bentiu, South Sudan

July 1,2021 — A national staff working at the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) was killed on Tuesday, June 29th 2021, at the UN based Protection of Civilian Site (POC) in Bentiu by unidentified armed men.

Speaking to Nyamilepedia yesterday, Mahoth Rong Chieng, a student at Nkumba University in Kampala confirmed that the incident happened on Tuesday evening at around 8:00pm when the unknown gunmen entered into the camp and killed GPOC employee. 

” It was yesterday evening at around 8 pm South Sudan local time when a group of unidentified gunmen entered the IDPs camp in Bentiu”, Rong said.

Rong explained that the unknown gunmen are commonly known for looting and robbing people during the night and it happened that they intercepted the group of boys with the intention to rob them but when boys resisted they immediately fired the gunshots and killed the GPOC employee identified as Riak Tuol who had been working for the oil operating company for at least two decades. 

“In their usual ways of looting properties almost on daily basis, they tried to robbed a group of boys within the camp. The boys tried to resist them. As they(gunmen) tried to robbed the boys by all means they shoot guns targeting those with phones but unfortunately, their shooting resulted in the death of a GPOC staff identified as Riak Tuol”, he said. Added “Riak has worked for GPOC for about 20 years”.

He has described the incident as the most sorrowful and heart breaking news which has ever been experienced in the camp, adding that since the United Nations peace keeping forces vacated the area the criminals took laws into their own hands by rapping young girls and women, looting properties and intimidating people al the times. 

“This is one of the many tragic incidences that has been happening within the camp since UN troops stopped guarding the IDPs, young women and girls are being raped, properties being robbed and men being threatened and beaten by unknown gunmen”, he further stressed.

Rong also calls on Unity state government to ensure civilians’ safety is guaranteed by apprehending the people found guilty of committing the crimes inside the Camp. 

“The state government need to wake up and provide solid and stable protection to the IDPs by arresting those who are found of causing insecurity and terrorising the camp.”  “the UNMISS should also resume their patrolling exercises within the camp for the entire IDPs to live in peace and serenity”, he emphasized.

Unity State-Bentiu is the most war affected state in South Sudan with at least half of its population are staying in the POC enduring a worst humanitarian situation and medical challenges.

While the UN Mission in South Sudan withdrew troops as a mean to force to the IDPs to evacuate the camps, UNMISS leadership pays little attention  to these incidents, arguing that it’s the responsibility of the government to protect and provide for their citizens.