At least 3 passengers were killed and four others injured in separate attacks along the highway linking Bor town in Jonglei State to the capital, Juba on Tuesday.
Wany Bum, the spokesperson of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the incidents occurred when commuter vehicles en route to Juba were attacked near Mangalla town.
“All those killed yesterday (Tuesday) are citizens of Jonglei, 2 from Nuer and one a Dinka,” he said. “Four others were also injured. This is something we are not happy about.”
Bum condemned the attacks and blamed Mundari armed youth from the neighboring Terekeka County for being the perpetrators.
“As we speak now, the road is blocked and drivers have assembled at the secretariat to protest the killings. We are for peace and there is no need for certain groups to disrupt the movement of people and services,” Bum charged. “I call on the Central Equatoria State Government to intervene because those carrying out the attacks are Mundari youths.”
Meanwhile, Thon Philip, the deputy head of the Drivers’ Union in the Jonglei State, said the attacks on and the closure of the road are worrying.
“On Tuesday morning 2 people on a bodaboda were attacked and one was killed on the spot at Meleng area near Mangalla,” he said. “In the same area, 2 people were killed in a commuter vehicle heading to Juba and more than 3 cars were attacked just yesterday.”
For his part, Hillary Lokudu, the Mangalla Town Payam executive director, also confirmed and condemned the attacks.
“On Tuesday, one person on a bodaboda heading to Juba was killed in a road ambush. Regarding the attacks on vehicles, our security personnel is still on the ground and details are yet to come in,” he said. “Also, on Monday night a driver was killed and vehicles burnt. This incident is very unfortunate and we condemned it.”
“The attacks happened because the Mundari are revenging their son said to have been killed by assailants from Bor,” Lokudu added.
The official said that they had stopped traffic on the road to Bor until security is restored.