A senior official of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), James Jok Lual, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Juba over the weekend.
Jok, who previously served as SPLM Secretary for Research and Training in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, claimed he was ambushed by armed assailants at around 4:30 PM while on his way home.
The attackers, reportedly armed with a pistol, struck as he approached a junction between newly constructed towers, an area now infamous for its dimly lit streets and rising security concerns.
“I narrowly survived an assassination attempt on my life. As I was going back to my residence, unidentified attackers ambushed me between the new buildings in Hai Jonglei, opposite the New Site area,” Jok said.
Jok recounted that as he was walking and speaking on the phone, a young man suddenly appeared about five meters ahead, aiming a pistol directly at him and threatening to shoot if he moved.
The official said he managed to escape the life-threatening situation by quickly abandoning his phone and other belongings, sprinting in a wind pattern to avoid being shot.
“At just five meters away, he pointed a pistol at me and ordered me not to move or he would shoot. On hearing this order, I threw my phone at him with all my strength, and I ran back in zigzag style, making an alarming noise by shouting, thieves— thieves, and they retreated and vanished with my phone,” he added.
Reflecting on the incident, Jok remarked that surviving in Juba now requires individuals to be armed for their own protection, as personal security can no longer be taken for granted.
The incident has raised alarms across political circles and the general public, especially considering Jok’s affiliation with the ruling party.
Many have expressed deep concern over the incident, warning that if high-ranking SPLM officials can be targeted in the heart of the capital, the risks facing opposition figures and ordinary citizens are even more alarming.
Jok’s survival comes amid growing public outcry over increasing criminal activity in the capital, ranging from robberies and home invasions to carjackings and street assaults.
Last week, a senior police general was attacked by unidentified armed assailants at his residence, leaving both the general and his daughter injured.
Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made so far, further fueling public concern over the growing state of lawlessness in the capital.
Residents of Juba have raised growing concerns over a spike in criminal activity, particularly motorcycle thefts and home break-ins during the evening and night hours.
In response, traditional leaders from the Mangateen residential area have called for increased police deployment to tackle the worsening insecurity.
Chief Charles Madhol, head of the Mangateen traditional court, emphasized that the existing police force is overstretched and unable to manage the rising crime rate.
He appealed to the government to prioritize security, noting that while the community can support the police with basic needs, the state must ensure their presence and functionality.
