On Tuesday, a bus heading from Juba to Kampala was attacked by gunmen, leaving one Ugandan dead and several others feared kidnapped. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in South Sudan, despite a peace deal, with a rebel group linked to the assault. The army reported engaging the assailants and confirmed previous violent incidents on the same route.
A long-distance bus traveling from Juba to Kampala was attacked by armed assailants in South Sudan, resulting in the death of at least one individual and raising fears of kidnappings among the passengers. The incident occurred on a major road south of the South Sudanese capital on Tuesday morning. Eyewitness reports indicate that flames engulfed the bus, producing thick black smoke visible from a distance. Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang reported that a Ugandan man died in the attack, with eight others sustaining injuries. Furthermore, seven additional individuals are reported missing, with concerns they may have been abducted by the attackers. General Koang attributed the violence to the National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel faction led by former deputy chief of staff General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, which operates in the region and has rejected the 2018 peace accord. The army engaged the assailants in a skirmish, successfully driving them away from the scene. This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of violence along the road connecting Juba to Nimule, with previous attacks claiming multiple lives, including the deaths of two Catholic nuns in a similar ambush the previous year.
Despite the existence of a peace agreement aimed at resolving years of civil conflict, South Sudan continues to experience significant instability and violent occurrences. The National Salvation Front, which has refused to adhere to the peace deal, poses a considerable threat, particularly in areas surrounding Juba and throughout Central Equatoria state. Road travel between the capital and bordering regions remains perilous, as evidenced by recurrent ambushes that have resulted in fatalities and injuries to both local residents and foreigners.
In conclusion, the recent attack on the bus underscores the perilous security situation in South Sudan, particularly for civilian travel along main routes despite efforts to establish peace. The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by rebel groups, particularly the National Salvation Front, and calls into question the effectiveness of ongoing peace initiatives in preserving safety within the country.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
