The recent ambush of United Nations peacekeepers in Western Equatoria is a grave and unacceptable breach of international norms.

UNMISS recently issued a statement confirming an incident where armed elements intercepted a patrol and went on to seize a cache of weapons and ammunition.

Thankfully, all peacekeepers returned safely to base. But the implications of this incident are serious and must not be ignored.

These peacekeepers are not parties to the conflict. They are non-combatants who as guardians of humanitarian space and civilian protection. To attack them is not only reckless but also an assault on the very people they are mandated to protect.

Armed groups must not extend their rivalries to those whose sole duty is to preserve lives. Ambushing, detaining, or threatening peacekeepers is unacceptable and undermines national security as well as international trust in South Sudan.

Commanders of all armed forces, whether state-aligned or non-state actors, bear a critical responsibility: to ensure their ranks understand and respect the role of peacekeepers. They should instill discipline within their ranks and raise awareness about the role and neutrality of peacekeepers.

Respecting their presence is not optional; it is a legal obligation under international law. Any aggression against peacekeepers may amount to a war crime, and anyone involved will be held accountable.

Communities must also understand that UNMISS patrols are not foreign intrusions but lifelines especially in areas like Tambura, where access and security remain precarious.

When peacekeepers are obstructed, civilians suffer. Every attack delays patrols, weakens protection, and restricts humanitarian access to those in desperate need. At this critical moment, with elections approaching and the peace process still fragile, South Sudan must safeguard every instrument that supports stability.

Protecting peacekeepers is protecting peace itself. The message is clear: those who protect us must never be the target.