Peacekeepers marked their international day by paying honor to colleagues who died in Jonglei state.
United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS coordinator in Eastern Equatoria Hiroko Hirahara Mosko opened her speech by requesting the gathering to observe moment of silence for 12 people who lost their lives in Jonglei state on April 9.Five UNMISS peacekeepers perished when their convoy was attacked between Bor and Pibor.
Seven civilians were also killed during the ambush.
Ms Hiroko recalls the 12 victims included five Indian soldiers and seven civilians including Peter Kiko of Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria.
She stresses that the Jonglei state victims are among 3,100 UN military, police and civilian personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping missions since 1948.
The April attack on the convoy of peacekeepers was the second blow to the UN mission in South Sudan after government forces shot down a UN helicopter last December.
UNMISS has the largest number of its peacekeepers deployed in Jonglei State.
Eastern Equatoria deputy governor, Jerome Surur Gama, said the International Day of UN Peacekeepers was a remarkable celebration for the people of South Sudan who struggled over two decades for peace.
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