Armed Men Reportedly Seized the Chief and Aid Staff in Yei/Access Radio Handout Photo
(YEI) – The Paramount Chief of Yei River County, Joseph Brown Lo Mosa, was reportedly abducted on the morning of Monday, 7 July 2025, along with two humanitarian workers while on a peace mission in Logo Boma, situated along the Yei–Maridi road.
Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme confirmed the security crisis during a briefing with Access Radio, stating that the chief and the aid workers were on their way to support a community peace dialogue when they were ambushed and taken by armed men believed to be members of the rebel group National Salvation Front, which is led by Thomas Cirilo Swaka.
The abducted aid workers, identified as a programme coordinator and a finance officer, were staff members of the Organisation for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD), a nationally operating NGO in South Sudan.
According to the commissioner, while one officer, Noel Taban, and the driver were later released, the abductors are now reportedly demanding a ransom before freeing the others.
| Abducted Individuals | Affiliation/Role |
|---|---|
| Joseph Brown Lo Mosa | Paramount Chief of Yei River County |
| Unnamed Programme Coordinator | Organisation for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD) |
| Unnamed Finance Officer | ONAD |
Seme condemned the abductions “in the strongest terms possible” and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abductees. He said the incident undermines efforts to restore peace and reconciliation in the region.
Access Radio was not able to independently verify the full details of the incident.
Noel Taban, one of the individuals briefly held and later released, confirmed that the abductors instructed him to return to Yei and deliver a message.
“They told me to come and tell authorities and those in Yei to go and release those missing,” he said, without providing further clarification.
Local reports indicate that security has been deteriorating in Yei River County since April 2025, with increased cases of road ambushes, particularly along the Yei–Morobo and Yei–Maridi roads. These ambushes have created serious challenges for humanitarian operations, civilian travel and peacebuilding missions in the region, which borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Family members of the abducted chief expressed deep concern. A brother to the paramount chief, who identified himself only as Waru Waru, said the family is extremely worried about both his safety and health condition.
“We are not happy as a family upon hearing the abduction of my brother Joseph Brown. We are calling on the government to do everything possible to secure his release. We also urge the abductors to release him safely,” he said.
The Organisation for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD), which has been active in peacebuilding efforts across South Sudan, has not yet issued an official statement.
Yei remains a sensitive area in South Sudan’s Equatoria region. Unresolved conflict and the presence of armed groups continue to complicate post conflict recovery and reconciliation efforts.
Humanitarian workers and local leaders, such as chiefs, play a major role in bridging community divisions.
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