By Deng Ghai Deng
Five students were killed and four others were injured in an attack near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border by armed assailants.
The students were traveling to Jonglei State’s Akobo County when the attack occurred. Several others are still missing as a result of the incident.
Akobo County Commissioner Puok Nyang Tutjiek confirmed the incident, stating that the injured students were promptly evacuated to Akobo Town for medical treatment on Monday morning.
The identities of the attackers remain unclear as the assault occurred on the Ethiopian side of the border.
“We have not confirmed who exactly carried out the attack but we suspect Anyuak youth from Ethiopia and Murle youth because the attacks happen at the border with Ethiopia,” Nyang said.
Efforts to obtain a response from Ethiopian authorities regarding the incident were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
However, Oleyo Akuer, the Minister of Information in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), denied the involvement of local youth from his jurisdiction in the attack.
The region near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border has experienced sporadic violence involving ethnic groups and armed factions in recent years, complicating efforts to establish lasting peace and security.