A Uganda-bound bus was attacked by gunmen in South Sudan, resulting in one death and several missing individuals feared kidnapped. The army attributed the attack to the National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel group active in the region. Previous violent incidents on this route further illustrate the ongoing insecurity in South Sudan despite a peace agreement.
A long-distance passenger bus traveling from Juba, South Sudan, to Kampala, Uganda, was attacked by gunmen on a major roadway south of the capital early on Tuesday morning. This violent incident has resulted in the death of at least one individual and several others are believed to have been kidnapped, according to statements from the South Sudanese army. Images from the scene depict flames consuming the interior of the bus, alongside columns of black smoke rising into the atmosphere. Despite the existence of a peace agreement intended to resolve years of civil conflict in South Sudan, insecurity persists in numerous regions throughout the country. Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang reported to the BBC that a Ugandan national was among the deceased, with eight additional passengers sustaining injuries. Furthermore, he noted that there are seven individuals unaccounted for, who may have been abducted during the attack. General Koang attributed responsibility for the assault to the National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel faction led by former deputy chief of staff General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, which operates in territories south of Juba and in other locations within Central Equatoria state. The NAS, which declined to endorse the 2018 peace accord, has not issued a statement regarding this particular attack. Moreover, Major General Koang informed Radio Tamazuj that South Sudanese forces engaged and repelled the assailants. This incident is not isolated; there have been previous violent encounters along the route connecting Juba with Nimule, a town near the southern border. In August of the previous year, an ambush claimed the lives of 11 passengers, both South Sudanese and Ugandans, while another tragic episode occurred a year prior when two South Sudanese Catholic nuns lost their lives along the same highway while traveling back to Juba.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan, even after a peace agreement was reached in 2018, highlights the fragility of the security situation in the country. The NAS, which has not recognized the peace deal and continues to engage in armed conflict, represents a significant threat to civilian safety. The attack on the bus reflects a broader pattern of insecurity and violent incidents that have plagued the South Sudanese populace, especially throughout travel routes linking major cities and borders. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the tensions and dangers that remain in the region following years of civil warfare, which have exacerbated vulnerabilities for both citizens and travelers. Previous events along the same routes have shown a worrying trend in increasing violence against transport hubs, revealing an urgent need for enhanced security measures and peacekeeping efforts.
In conclusion, the recent attack on a bus traveling from Juba to Kampala underscores the persistent insecurity in South Sudan, with at least one fatality reported and fears of kidnappings. The involvement of the National Salvation Front symbolizes the ongoing challenge of maintaining peace in the region despite previous accords aimed at ending civil strife. As violence continues on major travel routes, there remains a pressing need for improvements in security and a concerted effort to address the causes of unrest.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
