JUBA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's peace monitors on Monday condemned the killing of aid workers in an ambush while travelling along the government-controlled area on the Juba-Pibor road and called for a thorough independent probe into the attack.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) also said it's outraged and deeply saddened by the killing of six humanitarian workers on March 25.
"JMEC strongly condemns the killings of the innocent humanitarian workers who are committed to serve the people of South Sudan," JMEC said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"We call for an independent investigation into the heinous and senseless of the aid workers and perpetrators must be brought to justice," it said.
The Saturday attack - the single worst incident targeting aid workers in the African country since the outbreak of hostilities in December 2013 - comes at a time when humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll on the people of South Sudan where an estimated 7.5 million people are in need of relief and protection, and the humanitarian crisis has deepened further with localized famine declared in parts of the country.
The peace monitors said they have asked Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to investigate the attack.
"JMEC further calls on the government of South Sudan to ensure the safety and security of all humanitarian aid workers and ensure an unimpeded access to humanitarian convoy," the statement said.
At least 79 aid workers have been killed in South Sudan since December 2013, including at least 12 this year.
The last two months alone have seen a sharp increase of attacks on humanitarians and looting of supplies intended for people suffering from the famine.
