A road ambush in Yei kills two baiting UNMISS to set-up new base

“This violence is causing huge tension in the area and putting the lives of civilians at risk … UNMISS is establishing a temporary peacekeeping base in Lobonok to help deter further attacks on civilians and humanitarian convoys.” Said David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan.

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN: SEPT 03, 2020:

At least two people were killed, and five others wounded when gunmen ambushed a public transport vehicle in Yei on Tuesday. 

The Toyota Landcruiser was carrying traders to a market in Ombaci boma when it was ambushed in Sanjasiri area, just three miles from Yei town.

One of the survivors of the attack Stella Kani, said there were soldiers in the vehicle they were travelling in. She said it could have been the reason the assailants attacked them.

“If there were no soldiers, maybe they would have not fired at us. Maybe they would just have robbed us only.” Kani told The Insider on phone interview.

She said the attackers were heavily armed and many in number.  Kani said when their driver saw that the assailants were well-armed, he pushed on. “They did not stop our vehicle, but our drive drove towards them at high speed. If he did not do that, we would have all died in the vehicle.” Kani added.

The injured are being treated at Yei Civil Hospital. Kani had to undergo surgery on her toes and arm from the injuries she sustained in Tuesday’s attack.

Jackline Jendia, another survivor whose legs were wounded, said the attackers stole their money and phones before setting the vehicle on fire.  

“They fired at us to stop the vehicle; some people crawled into the bush but others who were shot and could not go anywhere remained in the vehicle.”

‘They approached and shot two people dead and before they burned the vehicle, one woman who was shot in the legs just fell down because she broke both legs. They robbed our phones, money and the goods of businessmen. They took everything in the vehicle then ran away.” Jendia explained.

She said government forces rushed to the scene but were a little bit too late as the assailants took off into the bushes.

Yei Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Lujang Kamba said similar attacks happened two days ago when two trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Lainya County were burned to ashes by assailants.

“A week ago. One of the military vehicles fell into an ambush in ‘Arube Mile (40 miles Yei-Juba road) and just two days back also two vehicles carrying food items for IDPs in Lainya, they burned one vehicle to ashes.” Maj. Gen. Kamba said.

He said all of the victims in the attacks have been civilians and suspects the latest attack was masterminded by the National Salvation Front (NAS) forces.

In a statement issued Thursday, NAS spokesperson Suba Samuel denied responsibility saying the attack was a secret operation inside the Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), orchestrated by soldiers disgruntled with the regime.

“According to our reliable sources inside SSPDF HQs (headquarters) in Juba, these soldiers are part of elements that are disgruntled and demoralized because of lack of salaries and services,” read in part, the statement issued in response to an earlier press release by SSPDF spokesman Lul Ruai Koang holding NAS rebels accountable for attacks on a military vehicle along Juba Yei road in August.

Maj Gen. Kamba said Yei police are worried about the increase in ambushes on civilians in recent days.

“We are actually worried because these civilians are killed in cold blood and they are actually going to the market; taking their things or maybe going to purchase some commodities from the Ombaci market.” Kamba said.

Julius Taban, assistant commissioner for refugee affairs in Yei, said the attacks on humanitarians and civilians makes it difficult to deliver humanitarian support to refugees and IDPs in Lasu and Morobo.

“Partners used to go to Lasu Refugee camp to support the refugees, the returnees, those who were displaced and came back. They used to go there on a daily basis based on the need,” Taban said adding; “But with recent ambushes, especially the Tuesday attacks and the other week then, it gives a lot of questions on the humanitarian workers [and] how they are going to move with the recent attacks on the way.”

The attacks on civilians follows the killing of six bodyguards of South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga in the Lobonok area on August 19th. NAS publicly claimed responsibility for that attack.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it is establishing a temporary peacekeeping base in Lobonok to help deter further attacks on civilians and humanitarian convoys.

“We are deeply disturbed by the increase in violent assaults on civilians as well as humanitarians who are working hard to ensure that communities receive the assistance and care they need,” said David Shearer, UNMISS head.

“To help prevent further violence, we have deployed troops to Lobonok this morning to set up a temporary operating base. This will enable us to provide a protective presence in the area. We are also engaging with all parties, including the Government which has primary responsibility for protecting all civilians.” Shearer told Journalists in Juba today.

Shearer said the UNMISS is greatly concerned by reports of increased NAS movement across the Equatorias and a series of clashes between its members and forces serving with the South Sudan People’s Defense Force and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in-Opposition.

“This violence is causing huge tension in the area and putting the lives of civilians at risk. All parties involved are either signatories to the revitalized peace agreement or the January 2020 Rome Declaration so they should respect the ceasefire, stop the fighting and protect civilians.” Shearer added.

Shearer said; “improved security in South Sudan is enabling UNMISS to gradually withdraw troops from protection sites and redeploy them to hotspots where civilians are in immediate danger like Jonglei and the Equatoria region.”

The featured image of UNMISS head, David Shearer was picked from the UNMISS Media twitter post