A member of parliament has castigated Sunday’s attack on three traders along the Lafon- Mogiri Road in Eastern Equatoria State.
Faisal Likale Olum, an MP appointed on the SPLM-IO ticket, told Radio Tamazuj that the incident where gunmen opened fire and wounded the traders was uncalled for.
The three fish traders were going to Juba from Lafon through Mogiri road when they fell into an ambush at around 8 pm.
Olum has blamed the recent waves of attacks in the region on the peace parties’ failure to implement security arrangements as outlined in the 2018 signed peace deal.
He says several innocent civilians have lost lives on the same road as they struggle to earn a living despite the worsening economic situation in the country.
“It was on the 26th, and the gentlemen were going to Juba carrying chicken for sale. Unfortunately, they didn’t identify the attackers because they were confused. It is very unfortunate that people have been facing challenges on that road for many years. I feel that quick security arrangements could have been an intervention to such kind of incidents, but up to date you find the security arrangement is not up to date, the deployment of the security sector is not up to date, and even the barracks that used to be in Mogiri is no more,” Olum said.
Adding, “This is a grave concern, and I can still echo that the security sector arrangement for this country is very important. The parties involved in this security arrangement should not take it for granted, as our people are dying. We know the law is more urgent. So, the peace agreement should focus more on security arrangements.”
Augustin Lijuok, the Lafon centre chief, confirmed the incident, saying one of the missing traders had since been found.
“These people were going from Marguna, and when they reached William’s airstrip close to Mogiri, they fell into an ambush. The other missing person is now found but with a gunshot injury on his leg. All three are now receiving treatment in Juba, where they were taken on Monday by some soldiers,” he said.
Chief Augustine said some cattle belonging to some traders were also raided in the same area, adding that the traders had bought over 35 cattle from Lopit areas and were intercepted before reaching Juba.
“Before the ambush on the boys, some cattle were raided from some traders of Dinka Aliab who came to buy them from Lopit,” he concluded.