A lightning strike has killed two SPLA-IO soldiers undergoing military training in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State on Sunday, a military officer said.
Brig. Gen. Malual Reat, head of the SPLA-IO division at Maridi training camp for unified forces, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday David Augustin Francis and Elias John Mariko were killed by a lightning strike while returning from Yambio and Tambura.
The incident occurred approximately 10km from Maridi town.
“Three soldiers left to collect firewood in order to get money for themselves, but were struck by lightning under a mango tree. Two of the soldiers died on the spot while one of them survived,” said Reat.
Separately, the military officer said lack of water remains a challenge at the training camp. “We have water problem. Our contract with urban water ended in March this year. Only one borehole supplies water,” said Ayok.
The SPLA-IO officer urged the armed opposition movements in the country to stop fighting and become part of the unity government.
The process of gathering government and opposition forces into training sites with a view to forming a unified army is a cornerstone of the 2018 peace agreement.