Two Abducted Humanitarian Workers Released in Yei

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Two humanitarian workers employed by the Yei-based national humanitarian and development organization, Mugwo Development Organization (MDO), have been released after spending a night in captivity following their abduction along the Yei–Kaya Road earlier this week.

According to a statement from MDO, the two staff members were abducted on 6 July 2026 while travelling on official duty to conduct routine field activities in Gulumbi and Lujule payams of Morobo County.

The organisation said the aid workers were intercepted by two armed men approximately six and a half miles from Yei town. The attackers reportedly forced the staff off the road at gunpoint before marching them about one mile through the bush towards the Kembe River.

MDO stated that the abductors demanded a ransom of USD 15,000 and instructed the victims to contact individuals capable of authorising the payment. When the ransom demand was unsuccessful, the perpetrators allegedly subjected the aid workers to physical and psychological abuse in an attempt to force them to identify alternative sources of money.

The two humanitarian workers were released in the early hours of 7 July 2026. According to the victims, their captors ordered them not to return to Yei but to proceed to Morobo Town. Before releasing them, the abductors reportedly confiscated their mobile phones, USD 700 in cash and SSP 820,000.

Yei County Relief and Rehabilitation Coordinator, Mabe Moses, confirmed to Access Radio on Friday that the two released aid workers had safely reunited with their families.

Moses condemned the incident and called on armed groups operating in the area to respect international humanitarian law and protect humanitarian personnel.

“Our message is that we don’t want these things to happen because humanitarian workers provide services to the community, and if they are abducted, the community will suffer. We condemn this criminal act,” Mabe said.

The latest incident marks the third abduction involving MDO field staff. The previous case occurred in early June 2026 at the same location along the Yei–Kaya Road, raising fresh concerns over the safety of humanitarian workers and the growing threats facing relief operations in the region.

Mugwo Development Organization strongly condemned the abduction and urged the Government of South Sudan and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

The organisation also called for enhanced security measures along the Yei–Kaya Road to protect humanitarian personnel and ensure uninterrupted access to vulnerable communities in need of assistance.

Humanitarian organisations continue to operate in challenging conditions across Central Equatoria State, where insecurity along major roads remains a persistent obstacle to delivering vital services to communities affected by conflict and displacement.