An armed ambush on a road in South Sudan's Western Equatoria State has resulted in the release of 27 passengers, while others remain unaccounted for. The attack took place over the weekend between Lui and Lanyi Dawa in Mundri East County, along the road linking Juba and Mundri. Local officials reported that three vehicles – two Land Cruisers and a tipper truck – were burnt during the attack. A separate Land Cruiser carrying passengers was also caught up in the incident.
According to Benson George Papa, the acting executive director of Mundri East County, about 32 people had been abducted during the attack. He stated that 27 of them had since been released and taken to Juba by their families, while others remain unaccounted for. Some of those released reported being beaten and tortured while in captivity. Papa also revealed that some women had reported being raped during the abduction.
Papa noted that security forces are conducting patrols along the road but acknowledged that the limited number of personnel makes it difficult to cover the entire route. He urged the authorities to increase security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident has created fear among travellers and could affect economic activities in the area.
Western Equatoria State police reported that no arrests had been made and that investigations are underway. Police spokesman Major Martin Joseph Ngbadu stated that a joint security patrol had been deployed along the road to protect civilians and other travellers. He urged people planning to use the road to seek the latest security information from police and other security agencies.
Isaac Fora, the acting minister of information and communication for Western Equatoria State, said police in Mundri East had visited the scene to investigate the incident and gather information about the attackers. Fora stated that the burnt vehicles were later taken to the authorities, while the released passengers had already been taken to Juba by their families. This has made it difficult for police to obtain detailed information about the attackers.
The incident has had a significant impact on the local community, with Wanga Emmanuel, chairman of the Civil Society Network in Western Equatoria State, condemning attacks on civilians and calling for stronger security along the road. He stated that insecurity along the route has affected civilians, humanitarian workers, and their property. The road is an important route for people travelling to Juba for medical treatment and for transporting medical supplies and other essential goods to Western Equatoria.
Emmanuel urged the authorities and security forces to strengthen civilian protection and ensure safe movement along major roads in the state. He emphasized that civilians are often the victims of economic and political crises. The authorities have called on armed groups with grievances against the government to pursue dialogue rather than attacking civilians. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility.
Key points
- 27 passengers released after being abducted during an armed ambush in South Sudan's Western Equatoria State.
- Women reported being raped during the abduction, and some released passengers reported being beaten and tortured.
- The incident has created fear among travellers and could affect economic activities in the area.
