(Panyijiar) – Authorities in Panyijiar County, Unity State, have confirmed the deaths of more than 40 traders who were killed in an ambush while travelling by boat late Friday night. The attack took place in Chambek, a location in neighbouring Lakes State, as the boat crossed from Taiyar Port.
According to a statement from the Panyijiar County Commissioner’s office, reliable sources have reported that 42 people were killed in the incident. Of these, 39 were from Panyijiar County and three were from Leer County. The identities of the victims have not yet been made public, as officials are still working to verify names and inform affected families.
The boat was reportedly carrying traders—many of them civilians involved in local commerce—who were attempting to travel across the Nile. The motive behind the attack is not yet clear, but it is believed to be linked to rising inter-communal tensions and a recent surge in violence between communities in Unity and Lakes states.
The government of Lakes State has not yet released any official statement in response to the incident, which has triggered widespread mourning in affected areas and concern across the country.
The massacre follows a period of heightened tension between the two neighbouring states. In recent weeks, communities in Panyijiar and Lakes have accused each other of cattle raiding and violent retaliation. According to reports, those disputes escalated to armed confrontations and even aerial bombardments.
Just a week before the boat ambush, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) reportedly carried out aerial strikes in the area. These strikes were allegedly conducted with support from Ugandan allies, although no formal confirmation has been issued regarding the nature or origin of the military action. The operations were said to be part of a wider effort to suppress escalating local violence.
Community leaders, civil society groups, and religious figures in Unity and Lakes states have called for calm and for urgent intervention by national authorities. Many are urging the government in Juba to investigate the killings and take immediate steps to prevent future attacks by securing travel corridors and addressing the root causes of inter-communal violence.
