Western Equatoria Attacks Leave Travellers Missing

(WES, SOUTH SUDAN) – More than 20 people are reportedly missing after two separate attacks along the Lui-Juba road in Western Equatoria State, the acting commissioner of Mundri East County has said.

The incidents add to a growing pattern of road ambushes and abductions in the region, which ceasefire monitors and state officials have repeatedly flagged as a serious concern in recent months .

Benson George said one incident involved people returning to Lanyi after harvesting honey. They were attacked at Marile at about 08:00, and one person was shot in the leg. He is receiving treatment at Lanyi Primary Health Care Unit.

Mr George said another attack happened at about 01:00 between Lanyi and Doro, in the same area.

He said two vehicles carrying people returning from a funeral in Maridi were attacked by unknown gunmen. The passengers were reportedly taken to an unknown location and the two vehicles were burned.

The acting commissioner said more than 20 people were abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown.

He said security forces responded this morning but did not find the attackers or the missing passengers.

Amadi TV was unable to reach police at Lui station for comment.

The Lui-Juba road has seen repeated attacks on travellers in recent months. In early August, two people were killed and four injured when gunmen ambushed a vehicle carrying mourners along the same route in Mundri East County .

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism said in August that the security situation in Greater Mundri had deteriorated following reported abductions and alleged forced recruitment in areas including Lanyi .

Western Equatoria State has also recorded several other incidents of road insecurity and abduction in September.

On 13th September, three people were killed and 10 abducted in separate attacks in Mundri West County and at Makpandu Camp . The state information minister, Mohamed Juma Bisti, condemned those attacks and called for those responsible to be held accountable.