Top SPLM-IO state officials wounded in Upper Nile accident

JUBA – A number of senior members of South Sudan’s main armed opposition group SPLM-IO in Upper Nile state have been wounded in an accident after a vehicle they were travelling in overturned while travelling at a high speed, state official has said.

One senior government official in Malakal told Sudans Post on Saturday evening that the accident took place early in the afternoon hours after a convoy carrying a state minister and Longechuk county commissioner left Malakal for Longechuk.

“The [accident] happened in the afternoon today and those in the convoy were Upper Nile state minister of parliamentary and legal affairs Honorable Kech Nguoth Tiem, Longechuk County Commissioner Dak Tut Dey,” the official

“Other government officials who were also involved in the accident include Honorable Duop Nhial Teny, Chairperson of Upper Nile state Peace Commission, Honorable Ruon Puok Deng, Adviser for Human Rights in Upper Nile state, and Paul Biel Chuol who is a former Commissioner of Maiwut County,” he added.

The senior government official who refused not to be named said all the senior government officials involved in the accident were wounded and the commissioner was in “a very serious condition because he has broken his harm.”

“They have now been airlifted to Juba for treatment and we hope they get well soon,” he added.