Army condemns NAS attack on aid convoy in C. Equatoria that resulted in abduction of 2 people

JUBA – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has said that opposition forces loyal to former deputy army chief General Thomas Cirilo Swaka have attacked an aid convoy that was heading to Morobo County in Central Equatoria state killing one person and abducting two others.

In a statement, army spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang said that attack took place on Friday morning when a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy of three vehicles was heading to Morobo County at Mukuya along the Yei-Morobo road.

“Today in the morning, September 17^th, 2021, WFP Convoy comprising of three vehicles delivering Relief Food to Morobo was ambushed by NAS rebels at Mukuya along Yei-Morobo road,” General Lul said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

While one person was killed and two others were abducted, Lul said one person was wounded in the attack and that one vehicle was burned.

“The attack on convoy resulted in one of the drivers getting killed, two others were abducted, and another person sustained injuries after their vehicle veered off the road and overturned in confusion that ensued. One vehicle was burned,” he said.

“It’s very important to point out that the leadership of WFP didn’t request for Military escort from SSPDF command in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State,” he added.

He further condemned the attack and urged regional bodies including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to designate the National Salvation Front led by General Thomas Cirilo as a negative force.

“SSPDF GHQs condemns NAS’s continuous attacks on none Military targets and in that regards urges regional and international bodies to designate NAS as a negative force that poses a huge threat to peace and security in the horn of Africa and beyond,” he said.