(AWEIL) – Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have demanded justice following a violent attack on traders from the state operating in Bor, Jonglei. The incident took place in Bor’s Panliet suburb and has left several traders injured and millions of pounds in losses.
Acting Information Minister Dominic Kang Deng said armed youth targeted the traders with machetes, robbing them of cash and leaving them with serious injuries. The victims were later transferred to Juba for medical treatment.
According to official figures, the traders lost 37 million South Sudanese pounds, equal to about 5,211 USD, as well as 7,000 USD in hard currency. In total, the robbery amounted to just over 12.2 million SSP ($12,211) at current market rates.
Losses Reported in Bor Trader Attack
| Currency Type | Amount Lost | Value in SSP | Value in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Sudanese Pounds | 37,000,000 SSP | 37,000,000 SSP | $5,211 |
| US Dollars | $7,000 | 49,700,000 SSP | $7,000 |
| Total | – | 86,700,000 SSP | $12,211 |
Minister Kang confirmed that Northern Bahr el Ghazal is in consultation with the Jonglei government to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice. He also called for calm among the public as the investigation continues.
In response to the attack, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Youth Union, led by Chairperson George Atem Garang, filed a lawsuit against the Jonglei state government. The union accused Jonglei authorities of failing to act despite claims that the attackers had already been identified.
Garang said the lawsuit aims to shine a light on repeated violence against traders from Aweil working in Jonglei. He cited an earlier incident where traders were allegedly beaten and stripped during a crackdown in Bor, a case that he said was never resolved.
“As a youth body, we want both governments – of Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal – to address this crisis and find lasting solutions,” Garang told reporters.
Youth activist Ngor Deng Matem, who is part of the legal case, criticised local authorities for inaction. He said Bor Mayor Jacob Achiek had admitted the suspects were known but not detained, raising questions over accountability. “For him, as a government official, to confirm that the attackers are known but not detained – that beats my understanding,” Matem said.
Matem added that the lawsuit will continue even if arrests are made, arguing that justice must not stop at arrests but include accountability through the courts. A legal team is representing the victims and pursuing the case.
Efforts to reach Mayor Achiek for further comment were unsuccessful. However, he earlier told media that the attack was carried out by a small group and did not represent the wider Bor community. He called for calm and insisted law enforcement was working to apprehend those responsible.
The incident has sparked wider concern about the security of traders in Bor, a key commercial hub connecting Jonglei with other regions. Business leaders warn that continued attacks on traders could weaken market confidence, reduce cross-state trade, and hurt already fragile supply chains.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CEPO), cautioned against legal battles, suggesting dialogue as a better path forward. “Suing the government is not the best option,” he said. “They should engage authorities through peaceful dialogue to find an amicable solution.”
With South Sudan working to stabilise trade and attract investment beyond oil, incidents like the Bor attack reveals ongoing challenges in securing safe conditions for business. For traders from Northern Bahr el Ghazal and other regions, the case is more than a loss of money and a test of how state governments protect commerce, livelihoods and the trust of the business community.
