Gunmen in South Sudan. | File Photo |.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it was alarmed by reports of a series of violent clashes between armed actors in the greater Juba area of Central Equatoria state, resulting in the deaths of 24 people, including 19 civilians.
These interconnected incidents allegedly involved attacks and counter-attacks between former members of the National Salvation Front (NAS) and took place in two locations—Wonduruba and Ganji.
“I am deeply concerned by these brutal acts and urgently call on the Government of South Sudan to conduct an immediate investigation to bring perpetrators to justice swiftly,” said Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.
“Protection of civilians is paramount and must be respected at all times. There is no justification for the extrajudicial killing of civilians. International human rights law sets down clear rules, and all parties must abide by it,” he added.
UNMISS has intensified patrols across Central Equatoria and is engaging with state and local authorities as well as community leaders to access the area and prevent further escalations.
The attack by armed groups came a day after the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla Wani, visited Wondruba Administrative Payam to encourage the locals to work for peace and unity to ease the delivery of basic services in the region.
An eye witness who narrated to Radio Tamazuj said at least nine members of the militia group supported by South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) were killed and several others injured, with Gen. Kenyi Warrior’s vehicle ambushed and destroyed during his attempted escape to Lainya.
Anglican Bishop Matthew Taban expressed shock upon learning of the massacre. He said among the victims were a pastor and a nurse who had been caring for wounded government militia members at the Wonduruba Health Center.
“The incident happened in Wonduruba when armed men went to the area south of the center of Wonduruba near the dispensary, near my house, and they were removing people from their houses, pushing them out, and then at the end they killed ten people, they shot them,” Bishop Taban narrated to Radio Tamazuj.
Army Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang confirmed the incident but was unable to provide details, stating he was trying to contact the commander on the ground.
A member of parliament representing Wondruba Payam Towongo Stephen, confirmed the incident, saying innocent civilians were picked from their houses, tied, and shot at randomly and four were injured after being chopped by machetes.
“There were clashes between the SSPDF and the NAS group in the outskirts of Wonduruba, and we registered some causalities from the side of the SSPDF. The commander called me, and I sent my pickup to bring the injured soldiers,” he explained.
