South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Major General Lul Ruai Koang, has accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of carrying out two separate ambushes on trucks traveling in opposite directions along the Juba-Terekeka highway leaving one death and multiple hostage.
“The vehicle came under a surprise attack and was set ablaze. Unfortunately, one Somali national was killed in the incident,” Maj. Gen. Koang said in a statement released on Monday.
Maj. Gen. Koang reported that the first ambush occurred between Koda and Nyori, targeting a truck traveling from Bahr el Ghazal to Juba.
Koang stated that a second ambush happened around 11:30 a.m. at the same location, involving a 30-ton commercial truck en route to Gok-Machar in Aweil North County. The vehicle, carrying six crew members, was hijacked and driven toward the SPLA-IO base at Bye Bye.
However, it stalled before reaching its destination, forcing the attackers to offload the cargo into the nearby bush.
Koang reported that security forces from the National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau (NSS-ISB), led by Colonel Makoi Mayiei, launched a pursuit and later engaged the assailants in what was described as a “successful meeting engagement.” The operation resulted in the rescue of four hostages: one South Sudanese and three Sudanese nationals. Two individuals, one from each country, remain unaccounted for.
“During their 48-hour ordeal, the hostages were subjected to physical torture,” Maj. Gen. Lul stated. “They were robbed of five smartphones and personal items, including 4 million South Sudanese pounds, which is roughly $600 USD.”
Maj. Gen. Koang added that intelligence reports have implicated some armed groups from Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, in joint operations with SPLA-IO rebels, including armed robberies, hijackings, and road ambushes.
“We strongly urge those involved in aiding SPLA-IO’s subversive activities to cease immediately,” Maj. Gen. Koang warned. “Failure to comply will result in targeted military operations.”
In closing, the SSPDF advised civilians and transporters, particularly those without armed escorts, to avoid nighttime travel due to increasing security risks.
“The army leadership wants to reassure the public that we remain committed to eliminating hostile threats along the main roads into and out of Juba,” Koang said.
However, SPLA-IO Spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel dismissed the allegations, describing them as “baseless accusations” intended to divert attention from the SSPDF’s own misconduct.
“This is a fabrication to cover up the SSPDF’s usual criminal activities along these routes,” Col. Lam stated. “The SSPDF has been robbing civilians not only along the Juba–Bahr el Ghazal road but also on the Juba–Nimule road, always blaming either NAS or SPLA-IO forces.”
He emphasized that SPLA-IO is a national movement that protects civilians regardless of their background.
“Our forces do not target civilians, whether at their residences or on the roads,” Lam said. “The SSPDF should take full responsibility for whatever happened to those trucks and their occupants and should avoid using the SPLA-IO as a scapegoat to justify further attacks.”
