By Manas James Okony
A father has been killed and his underage sons abducted following a road ambush by armed assailants in Jonglei State’s Nyirol County on Wednesday, authorities reported.
The incident, which saw several people missing including the deceased’s wife, forms part of the ongoing violence impacting communities in Jonglei, which have been marred by intercommunal conflicts and instability for years.
In an interview with No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Nyirol county information director, Both Jal, said that the family was moving from Lankien town to Cuil Payam when they were attacked.
“These people, including a family, were migrating to Cuil Payam from Lankien through the Yakuach area. On their way, they were ambushed near Yakuach,” he explained. “A father was killed, his two young sons were abducted, and his wife, along with two other women, is currently missing.”
Local officials allege that armed youths from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) were responsible for the assault.
“The attackers were youths from Pibor. As of now, the whereabouts of those missing remain unknown,” Jal claimed.
Efforts to reach GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi for comment were unsuccessful.
Jonglei State, located in the northeastern region of South Sudan, has been a hotspot for violence and insecurity for many years. The state has struggled with intercommunal conflicts, often fueled by ethnic tensions, competition over resources, and the proliferation of armed groups.
Historically, tensions have existed between the Murle and other groups in Jonglei, such as the Dinka and Nuer, often leading to retaliatory attacks and cycles of violence.
In recent years, peace efforts have been undertaken by both local and national authorities, yet clashes between various armed factions continue to disrupt the peace and threaten the safety of communities.
Humanitarian organizations have reported significant numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to ongoing violence in the region, making it challenging to assist those in need.
The government has attempted to engage in peace dialogues, aiming to reconcile tensions among the different communities and ensure lasting stability. However, incidents like the recent ambush highlight the fragility of these efforts and the persistent risks that ordinary citizens face in their daily lives.