Authorities in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State have confirmed that two men were missing after traveling between Ezo and Source Yubu areas.
State Minister for Information and Communication Dominic Elia Usini told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the two men had visited Source Yubu, but disappeared on their way back.
“The government is working tirelessly to determine what happened and identify those responsible for their disappearance,” Usini said.
One of the missing men was identified as Wilson Elias Parakiti while the other remains unknown.
Usini condemned the incident and urged the community to work together to uncover what happened and bring the missing men back.
Parakiti’s brother Simon explained to Radio Tamazuj that Wilson had traveled to Yambio and then to Source Yubu for medical treatment.
“He was there for three days and called us on August 6, saying he was returning home via Ezo. Since then, we have not heard from him,” he said.
Wilson is an air operations assistant with UNMISS in Juba. He was reportedly traveling by a motorcycle (boda boda).
Simon said they were last seen on the road between Source Yubu and Ezo.
“We reported the case to the police, the National Security Service and UNMISS. Unfortunately, we have not received any updates,” he said, and appealed to the Western Equatoria State Government for help.
The Ezo County Commissioner stated that the authorities were unaware of the incident until December 24, when the family reached out.
“We have no information about their movement in the county,” the Commissioner said.
“We advise the public to cooperate with government officials to help uncover what happened.”
The government of Tombura County is also involved in the investigation.