SSPDF soldier killed while collecting livelihood in Eastern Equatoria

TORIT – A South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldier was shot dead over the weekend while burning charcoal to support his family in Kimotong Payam, Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State, local authorities said.

The soldier, identified as Private Chan Jan Chan, was reportedly killed by unknown assailants on Sunday afternoon after being apprehended by suspected criminals. Local officials said Chan tried to escape but was recaptured, knifed, and shot dead.

Arkanjelo Lokolimi, the Payam Administrator of Kimotong, confirmed the incident, adding that local youth followed the footprints of the suspects, which reportedly led to a gold mining area in Ngauro Payam.

Eastern Equatoria has witnessed a rise in criminal activity as the country faces an economic crisis that has left civil servants and organized forces unpaid for nearly a year, pushing many to seek alternative means of livelihood.

Local MP Peter Bosco, representing Constituency 19, expressed concern over the killing and called for a thorough investigation to identify the culprits. He suggested that the suspects may have come from Ngauro or the surrounding areas.

“We don’t expect our communities to take the law into their own hands and kill an innocent person who was simply trying to provide for his family,” Bosco said. “We need a proper investigation to determine whether the criminals are from Ngauro or from the same area where the incident happened.”

Bosco also urged the Peace and Justice Mission, which is currently conducting operations in Kapoeta, to intervene and investigate the incident.

“This is one of the areas where the Peace and Justice Mission should focus. We can’t just relax and let such things happen without accountability,” he added.

Local authorities have condemned the killing, with Bosco stating that such acts of violence undermine the community’s efforts to maintain peace and order.