Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Armed assailants ambushed and robbed humanitarian vehicles traveling along the Torit-Magwi road in Eastern Equatoria state on Tuesday, local officials said.
The attack targeted vehicles belonging to Caritas Torit and Save the Children as they were returning from Magwi to Torit, according to Torit County Commissioner Christopher Andrew.
“Ten armed robbers suspected to be from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area stopped the first vehicle and robbed mobile phones, money and laptops,” Andrew told Radio Tamazuj. “When other vehicles tried to turn back, they were also ambushed and robbed.”
No injuries or deaths were reported.
The incident occurred between 11 a.m. and noon, the commissioner said. He added that security forces were dispatched to the area, but the suspects had already fled. Patrols have since been intensified along both the Torit-Magwi and Torit-Juba roads.
“The situation is now calm, and people are able to access the road,” Andrew said.
The Greater Pibor Administrative Area has denied any involvement in the incident.
Jacob Werchum Juk, minister of information and communication for Greater Pibor, dismissed claims that Murle youth were responsible.
“We are not part of that incident. Our youth have not crossed into Eastern Equatoria,” Juk said. “We don’t have youth in the bush setting up ambushes. These accusations are false and should be handled amicably by the state government.”
The attack has drawn condemnation from civil society groups.
Lazarious Savior, an activist with the Support Peace Initiative for Development, said the ambush undermines humanitarian operations in the state.
“This is very unfortunate. It hinders service delivery to communities in need,” Savior said. “We call on both the state and national governments to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable. Humanitarian workers need full protection.”
South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for aid workers. According to humanitarian reports, more than 30 aid workers have been abducted in South Sudan this year — double the number reported last year.
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