At least nine civilians were killed in two separate attacks along the Juba-Yei road in Central Equatoria State on Sunday and Monday, a local official said.
“The first ambush happened on Sunday at around 4: 30pm in Ganji Payam of Juba County where four people were killed and a vehicle was burned. Also, another ambush happened in the same area where five vehicles got burnt and five people were killed on Monday,” Charles Joseph Wani, the Commissioner of Juba County, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday.
The commissioner said the identity of the attackers remains unclear, pointing out that investigations into the two attacks are underway.
“For now, we don’t know which armed group carried out these attacks and our security agencies are on the ground investigating what happened. I condemn these incidents in the strong terms possible because we are for peace, and whoever committed these atrocities will be apprehended and brought to book,” Charles stressed.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Viola Edina, a resident of Yei town whose brother was killed in one of the attacks, expressed her frustration and called on the government to beef up security and protect civilians along the major highways.
“It was my brother who came to Yei from Koboko and was murdered along the way to Juba together with his friends. My brother Dada Abugo and his friends were murdered and I am requesting the government to protect civilians on the roads,” Viola appealed.
These are the first deadly attacks this year along the Juba-Yei road.