By Alan Clement
An ambush on government soldiers in Tambura County has thrown the state further into crisis, highlighting the growing insecurity that has displaced civilians, claimed many lives.
According to Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge, the ambush by armed assailants occurred on Friday, when soldiers were returning to Mupoi after collecting their salaries in Tambura.
According to commissioner, two soldiers were killed and one wounded during the incident.
He reported that the attackers, reportedly fled with two motorcycles and escaped without any known casualties.
“There is heightened insecurity in Tambura County,” said Mabenge in an interview with this outlet. “People are living in fear. They cannot even go to their farms for fear of being abducted. Many civilians are losing their lives,” he added.
The ambush occurred at a time of persistent threats posed by multiple armed groups operating in and around Tambura.
Commissioner Mabenge confirmed that the region remains surrounded by various forces, including SPLA-IO forces reportedly stationed in Lirangu and Nadiangere areas.
Mabenge indicated that the presence of these unorganized forces has contributed to recent mass displacements from Source-Yubu and Mupoi into Tambura town.
In an effort to contain the violence, Western Equatoria State, acting governor, Daniel Badagbu, recently deployed the organized forces to secure key parts of the county. While Mabenge claims the Tambura town is relatively calm following last week’s deployment, the surrounding villages remain under threat.
Mabenge said since South Sudan’s Independence Day, at least 29 civilians have reportedly been killed or abducted in the county.
“The situation is serious. We need more troops and urgent humanitarian aid because the people fleeing to Tambura need food, medicine and shelter materials. This is beyond our capacity,” he emphasized.
The acting governor of Western Equatoria State, Daniel Badagbu, has yet to relocate to Tambura as promised in his Independence Day speech.
His office however dispatched a security team to the area ahead of his planned arrival which is expected within the next few days.
A full delegation, including members of parliament and head of the organized forces, is anticipated to accompany him.
His initial pledge to temporarily move his office operations to the conflict-affected county was widely applauded as a show of leadership in a publication by this outlet on July 12th which chronicled local support for the move, though its delayed implementation has raised concerns.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the contribution of national leaders especially the national Speaker of Parliament, Jemma Nunu Kumba whose periodic food donations have supported displaced families.
Despite such efforts, Mabenge urged for a long-term solution to the ongoing violence, appealing to those responsible for the attacks to lay down arms and engage peacefully through political dialogue.
“They should stop inciting violence and let the people decide in the 2026 elections who should lead them. That is how we can stop the killings,” he stressed.
As Tambura awaits reinforcements and relief, the county’s residents remain trapped between insecurity and uncertainty, hoping the promised interventions arrive before more lives are lost.