Rampant attacks wreak havoc in Morobo

The long-awaited and recently formed Transitional Government of Nation Unity, many hoped, would bring an end to insecurity across South Sudan. But random attacks across Yei River State scatter resident’s prospects of living in peace.

This level of insecurity is new in the county, where since the country’s independence in July 2011, people had rather lived in peace. In April 2016 this relative peace came to an end, when unknown gunmen began to carry out their attacks.

During one incident, the county headquarter of South Sudan’s wildlife service in Morobo was ransacked. The attackers, believed to be a group hiding across the nearby border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), overpowered the soldiers on duty and stole 40 guns as well as an unknown amount of ammunition. Three soldiers on duty that night, believed to be abducted, are still missing.

According to local authorities in Morobo, the same group is believed to have attacked a truck on the road connecting Uganda and South Sudan on April 12. The attackers shot and killed two South Sudanese traders on the truck instantly, others on the truck were abducted. The Somali driver later managed to escape. He says the rest of his team as well as an unknown number of passengers travelling on the truck, were killed the same day.

I urge all the people of the county to report these criminals to the organised forces whenever and wherever they are seen.

On the same road the County Commissioner of Yei and his entourage were attacked when returning from a meeting in Uganda. Following a heavy exchange of gunfire and the aid of additional security forces, the attackers were repelled, but escaped.

Morobo County Commissioner, Jacob Toti and his security team, deployed a number of forces to regularly patrol the vast area. To avoid further tragedy the commissioner also requested residents to be vigilant.

“I urge all the people of the county to report these criminals to the organised forces whenever and wherever they are seen,” Jacob said.

The county authorities also requested residents to avoid big gatherings, saying such meetings would make easy targets for unknown armed group.

Major Akwil Garang, leading the forces in search of the group of gunmen, is also tasked to protect the civilians in the area. “You should not run away,” he advises people, but also warns to make the difference “between the government soldiers and the unknown gunmen”.

Despite the authorities actions to secure the area and find the group of unknown gunmen, many people fled their homes. Some return to their homes during the day, but spend the nights with relatives in larger settlements and centres.

We got scared since that very day the (first) incident happened.

Maka Yusufu, a business women, is worried for her life and property. She also says the situation is bad for business.

“We got scared since that very day the (first) incident happened. Morobo is where we get food. We want to travel (back and forth) safely,” she says.

She would wish to see even more forces deployed, especially along the road from Morobo to Yei. She sells her goods at the main market in the state capital, travelling between the two towns every day – fearing for her life.