Soldiers who defected from barracks in Juba or elsewhere in Equatoria have robbed travelers and attacked army patrols along the road between Kajo-Keji and Juba.
Most of the incidents that occurred such as ambushes of army vehicles happened about midway between Juba and Kajo Keji. The road is till being traveled by some, but considered very dangerous.
One group of passengers and drivers who arrived to Kajo-Keji today said they had no problems during their trip, but they saw national army deployed to hotspots where attacks had occurred or were expected.
“The cars are moving but it’s not certain. Anytime anything can happen. The previous day some of the cars went safe, and then the other ones entered into ambush… so it’s not certain that it’s really safe,” said a correspondent in Kajo-Keji.
Another driver recounted an attack on his car during which the car was hit while driving at high speed. Nobody was hurt and the vehicle managed to escape.
It is thought the bandits are defectors from the army (SPLA) or organized forces who are seeking food, ammunition and money.
Drivers say they prefer not to travel the route with SPLA convoys, fearing that would draw them into an attack. “It seems the people in the bush are looking for ammunitions, and when they see some armed people they can immediately ambush and attack them,” explained the correspondent.
At least one army vehicle was seen abandoned on the way about 40 miles from Juba with some casualties still left in the vehicle.
Generally the attackers have not harmed civilians who stop when ordered to do so: “They only take what they want and they release the people to do.”
In at least one case, however, they fired on a motorcyclist who refused to stop, wounding him in the foot. Elsewhere in the area, the relative of a motorcyclist who narrowly escaped an attack reported he was shot at on the Yei road at Jebel Dungu.