UN chief names head of probe into attacks on UN peacekeepers in South Sudan

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday appointed Abiodun O. Bashua of Nigeria to lead the Special Investigation into the Malakal incident in South Sudan, in which at least 25 civilians were killed.

The attack against the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) protection of civilians site in Malakal, which took place on Feb. 17-18, also injured 144 people.

"This investigation will complement the United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry announced on 11 March which is conducting an in-depth investigation into the overall response of UNMISS to the incident," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

Bashua recently concluded his assignment as the deputy joint special representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, a region in Sudan, during which time he also served as the acting joint special representative in 2014 and 2015.

In addition, he has extensive experience in several United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa, having served at senior levels in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

Bashua has also served as secretary to the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.