By Bosco Bush
Heavily armed men attacked Tombura County market yesterday morning, disrupting daily businesses, the county Commissioner reported.
Mathew Edward Mabenge, Commissioner of Tombura told this outlet that he was at home preparing to go to the office on the fateful morning when he heard sounds of fierce gunshots in the area.
The attackers, he said were aiming to destroy the market but failed and were repulsed by the swift response of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces [SSPDF] who pursued them in disarray. However, at least no casualties were reported.
“At 8:05 AM, I was at home here preparing myself to go to office, when they started shooting terribly with RPGs, PKMs, AKs firearms in the market,” Mabenge told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
“So, our reinforcement forces who came from Maridi, they tried their level best to rescue the situation and they [attackers] ran away,” he added.
Mabenge described the aftermath of the situation as calm following the intervention of the military forces.
The official said, there’s a growing tension among the civil population in the area due to intensifying attacks happening every moment including burning of houses.
He’s appealing to the national government to intervene and rescue the situation.
Tombura County has been experiencing violent incidents and killings that sparked public outcry and condemnations.
During the 49th CTSAMVM Board Meeting in Juba, Chairperson, Gen. Yitayal Gelaw noted with concern the security situation in Tambura County especially where one man was killed on Nov. 27, in an assassination attempt against the County Commissioner – which he said undermines peace and security in the state.
“CTSAMVM is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Tambura County. One man was killed in what was assessed to be an attempt on the life of the Tambura County Commissioner,” he stated.
“This represents a concerted attempt to remove an official from office and undermine peace and security in Western Equatoria,” he stated.