Businessman Transporting Sorghum Killed on Rural Aweil East Road

(AWEIL EAST COUNTY) – A local businessman has been shot dead and more than 3 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), equivalent to approximately 652 US dollars at the current exchange rate, were stolen during an ambush on Sunday along the road between Majok Yinhthiou Municipality and Aweil East County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

A senior government official, who requested anonymity, told media on Saturday that the main suspect in the killing of the businessman, identified as Yai Chuor, is Garang Deng Mathiang. The suspect is currently being held at Wunyiik Military detention cells as investigations continue.

According to the official, the attack occurred while the victim was travelling from Majok Yinhthiou to Wanyjok. The ambush took place between Rumdier and Mayom Rok in Warguet Payam.

“The victim was carrying a sack of sorghum and the money when he was stopped by armed men,” the source said. “He was ordered to get off his motorbike, and when he resisted the theft, the attackers shot him five times in the chest.”

Local resident Piol Malong explained that the victim had been transporting goods for traders between Wanyjok and Majok Yinhthiou, a common business route in the area.

Thiep Deng Akol, chairperson of the Aweil East County Youth Association, strongly condemned the killing and called for an end to such crimes.

“We want Aweil East to be a peaceful county,” he said. “I call on the youth involved in such crimes to stop immediately.”

The killing has heightened concerns about security along rural roads in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, where traders often travel with cash and goods due to limited banking facilities.