A bus en route to Uganda was attacked by armed gunmen in South Sudan, resulting in one death and several feared kidnapped. The army has attributed the assault to the National Salvation Front (NAS), highlighting ongoing insecurity despite a peace agreement in place. Previous violent incidents on this route further emphasize the persistent threat to travelers in the region.
A recent attack on a long-distance bus traveling to Uganda has resulted in the death of at least one person and raised concerns over potential kidnappings in South Sudan. On Tuesday morning, the passenger bus was assaulted by armed gunmen on a major route south of Juba, the nation’s capital. The scene depicted the bus engulfed in flames, with plumes of black smoke rising into the air. According to military spokesperson Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang, a Ugandan national was killed, eight others sustained injuries, and seven individuals are considered missing amid fears of abduction. Maj Gen Koang holds the National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel group led by former deputy chief of staff Gen Thomas Cirilo Swaka, accountable for this violent act. NAS has previously rejected the 2018 peace treaty and remains active in regions south of Juba and Central Equatoria state. Reports indicate that soldiers dispatched to the location of the attack engaged the assailants in combat. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as the route from Juba to Nimule has seen violence before, including an ambush in August 2022 that claimed 11 lives and the murders of two Catholic nuns a year earlier. This attack underscores the ongoing instability in South Sudan despite the existence of a peace agreement aimed at resolving years of civil conflict. Insecurity persists in numerous locales, hindering travel and endangering civilians as they traverse these roads. Images and eyewitness accounts from the aftermath reflect the turmoil experienced along this key transport route, drawing attention to the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect civilians.
South Sudan has faced prolonged instability and violence since its independence in 2011, aggravating the humanitarian crisis and challenging peace efforts. While the peace accord signed in 2018 aimed to end years of civil conflict, numerous regions continue to experience insecurity and violent episodes. Rebel factions, especially those like the National Salvation Front, persist in their resistance to government authority, leading to civilian casualties and fears of abduction, particularly on vital transport routes connecting the capital and southern Uganda. Previous attacks on buses have compounded these fears, establishing a pattern of violence that contributes to the broader instability in the region.
The attack on the bus traveling to Uganda highlights the persistent threat of violence in South Sudan, undermining peace efforts and placing civilians at risk. With one confirmed fatality and numerous individuals unaccounted for, the incident illustrates the critical security challenges faced along major transport routes. The continued activities of rebel groups like the NAS remain a significant obstacle to lasting peace in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
