Uganda-Bound Bus Targeted in Deadly South Sudan Attack

A long-distance bus traveling from Juba to Kampala, Uganda, was attacked by gunmen, resulting in one death and several others likely abducted. The incident highlights ongoing insecurity in South Sudan, despite a peace agreement, with the National Salvation Front (NAS) suspected of carrying out the attack. This violence is not isolated, as previous incidents on the same road have resulted in fatalities.

A recent incident in South Sudan has seen a long-distance bus traveling towards Kampala, Uganda, attacked by gunmen on a major highway south of the capital, Juba. The assault, which occurred on Tuesday morning, resulted in one fatality and left several others reportedly kidnapped, according to military reports. Eyewitness images captured at the site depicted flames consuming the bus’s interior while thick black smoke billowed into the air. Despite the existence of a peace agreement purportedly intended to end the prolonged civil unrest in South Sudan, violence continues to be a significant issue in numerous regions. Army spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, informed the BBC that a Ugandan man was confirmed dead and eight individuals suffered injuries in this attack, with seven others presumed to have been abducted. Major General Koang attributed responsibility for the assault to the rebel faction known as the National Salvation Front (NAS), which is led by former deputy chief of staff, General Thomas Cirilo Swaka. This group operates predominantly in areas south of Juba and throughout the Central Equatoria state. Notably, NAS was a signatory of the 2018 peace accord and has not issued any statement regarding this recent attack. Moreover, earlier communications from Major General Koang to Radio Tamazuj indicated that military forces dispatched to the site engaged the assailants in combat. The aforementioned attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence on the road connecting Juba to the southern border town of Nimule. In August 2022, 11 passengers—comprising both South Sudanese and Ugandans—were killed, and several others injured when armed individuals ambushed their vehicle. Additionally, a separate incident a year prior claimed the lives of two South Sudanese Catholic nuns along the same route as they were returning to Juba.

The recent attack on the passenger bus highlights the ongoing security challenges in South Sudan despite the establishment of a peace deal aimed at resolving years of civil discord. The National Salvation Front (NAS), a non-signatory of the peace agreement, has been active in regions that remain volatile, contributing to the climate of instability. These continuous security threats not only jeopardize the safety of travelers along key transport routes but also perpetuate a cycle of violence that the government has struggled to control since the end of the civil war.

In summary, the attack on the Uganda-bound bus in South Sudan underscores the fragility of peace in the region. With armed groups like the NAS continuing to perpetrate acts of violence, the safety of citizens and visitors remains at risk. Efforts to foster dialogue and reinforce security measures are critical if South Sudan hopes to achieve lasting stability and security for its populace.

Original Source: www.bbc.com