UNMISS to investigate the death of South Sudan soldier who breached compound

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it is coordinating with the government to investigate circumstances that led to the shooting of a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), soldier after he breached the compound of the peacekeeping force in Juba.

 The soldier whose names are Mawien Kuch breached the UN compound at 5:00 am on Friday, last week while dressed in army uniform  and opened fire at a sentry post and other UNMISS installations inside the Thongpiny base, according to a statement issued by UNMISS.

It said that Kuch began shooting indiscriminately, prompting UNMISS personnel manning the sentry post to respond in self-defense, wounding the intruder who later succumbed to his injuries.

“UNMISS regrets the loss of life and is coordinating with South Sudanese authorities to investigate the incident and establish the facts,” it said.

Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services acknowledged the shooting of the soldier whom he described earlier as mentally ill.

“One of our soldiers who decided to dress himself fully, jumped over the fence of the UNMISS and started firing, so he was gunned down by UNMISS forces, this is one of our soldiers who is alleged to be mentally derail,” Makuei said while briefing journalists in Juba.

Makuei said the incident appeared strange, adding that they are investigating the circumstance surrounding the incident.

“This is not yet confirmed but of course this is something under investigation because it’s rather strange for a soldier to dress himself in full gear, cock his gun and start attacking, shooting randomly inside the (UNMISS) compound,” he said.

Makuei noted that the incident happened in the presence of pedestrians.