A blame game has emerged between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) as both sides trade accusations over recent ambushes on commercial vehicles along the Juba–Terekeka Road.
The attacks allegedly resulted in the death of a Somali national and the abduction of several others.
In a press release issued Monday, SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang stated that the first incident occurred on May 1, between Koda and Nyori when a truck traveling from Bahr el Ghazal to Juba was attacked.
“The vehicle came under a surprise attack and was set ablaze,” said Gen. Lul. “Unfortunately, one Somali national was killed in the incident.”
A second ambush reportedly took place around 11:30 a.m. the same day in the same vicinity.
According to the SSPDF, a 30-ton commercial truck route to Gok-Machar in Aweil North County was hijacked and forcibly diverted toward an SPLA-IO base in Bye Bye.
Gen. Lul added that the vehicle stalled before reaching the base, prompting the attackers to offload the cargo into nearby bushland.
In response, security forces from National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau (NSS-ISB), led by Colonel Makoi Mayiei, launched a pursuit operation and engaged the attackers.
“It was a successful meeting engagement,” Gen. Lul reported. “Our forces managed to rescue four hostages – one South Sudanese and three Sudanese nationals. Unfortunately, two others, one South Sudanese and one Sudanese, remain missing.”
Lul revealed that the rescued hostages reported being subjected to physical abuse during their 48-hour captivity.
They were also robbed of personal belongings, including five smartphones and four million South Sudanese Pounds (approximately $600 USD), he added.
The SSPDF further claimed that intelligence reports link certain armed groups from Terekeka County in Central Equatoria State to coordinated operations with SPLA-IO elements.
“We strongly urge those involved in aiding SPLA-IO’s subversive activities to cease immediately,” Lul warned. “Failure to comply will result in targeted military operations.”
The army spokesperson advised civilians and commercial transporters to avoid traveling at night without security escorts due to heightened insecurity on the roads.
“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,” he affirmed.
However, SPLA-IO Spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel denied the allegations. He described the accusation as “baseless accusations” intended to distract from the SSPDF’s own alleged misconduct.
“This is a fabrication to cover up the SSPDF’s usual criminal activities along these routes,” Col. Lam asserted in a statement. “The SSPDF has been robbing civilians not only along the Juba–Bahr el Ghazal road but also on the Juba–Nimule road, and they always blame either NAS [National Salvation Front] or SPLA-IO forces.”
He emphasized that the SPLA-IO considers itself a national movement dedicated to protecting civilians irrespective of their background.
“Our forces don’t target civilians, whether at their residences or on the roads,” Lam stated. “The SSPDF should take full responsibility for whatever happened to those trucks and their occupants and avoid using the SPLA-IO as a scapegoat to justify further attacks.”
Political tension has been escalating between the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF following the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, a principal signatory to the peace agreement.
