In South Sudan, a bus was ambushed about 40 kilometers south of the capital, Juba, on Monday, September 23 in the morning around 8:30 a.m. The 44 passengers, who were traveling to Uganda, were attacked by armed men who opened fire on the vehicle. The attack resulted in the death of one person, a Ugandan national, and left eight injured. According to the South Sudanese army, between 7 and 14 passengers were kidnapped, and the rebel group NAS (National Salvation Front), a non-signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, is accused of being behind the attack.
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With our correspondent in Juba, Florence Miettaux
Among the 44 passengers on the bus were South Sudanese, Ugandan and more than a dozen Sudanese. This is not the first time NAS has attacked civilians and this time they will pay. ” said South Sudanese army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang, calling the rebel group ” regional threat “.
Insecurity in Central Equatoria State
The attack is the first targeting civilians this year on the Juba-Nimule Highway, a vital road for the South Sudanas it is essential for the importation of almost all of the food consumed in Juba. Central Equatoria State suffers from persistent insecurity linked to the presence of NAS rebels and other armed groups, with an increase in cases of kidnappings. In August, the UN reported the kidnapping of 134 people in July.
In addition, on Tuesday, September 24, the NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced the suspension of its operations in the Yei cityfollowing an incident on Friday, September 20, where two of its vehicles were robbed by armed men, and two aid workers were kidnapped for 24 hours.
Also readSouth Sudan: UN documents violence against civilians and impunity of authorities