(Juba) – A leading civil society activist, Ter Manyang, has urged the government of South Sudan to immediately deploy security forces along the River Nile following a deadly ambush that left 40 traders dead at Shambe Port in Lakes State.
The call for action comes after a commercial boat carrying goods and traders was attacked while travelling on the Nile, a vital transport route connecting various parts of South Sudan, especially those with limited road access.
The incident which occurred near Shambe Port has raised fresh concerns over the safety of traders and civilians using river transport, which remains essential in remote and flood prone areas.
Speaking shortly after the incident, Manyang appealed to national security agencies to act swiftly.
“I call on our government to deploy more forces along the Nile and at the port to prevent the killing of traders,” he said.
He stressed that securing river routes is critical for economic survival and for the lives of citizens who rely on riverboats to trade, travel, and access basic services.
The ambush is the latest in a series of attacks targeting commercial boats on South Sudan’s rivers. The River Nile, while serving as a major transport corridor, has become increasingly dangerous due to the presence of armed groups and lawlessness in certain areas.
The 40 victims were reportedly part of a group of traders travelling to supply markets in the interior, and their deaths have shocked local communities and the business sector.
Many of the traders were small scale business owners transporting food, fuel, and household goods to rural towns and islands.
Civil society leaders have warned that without firm government action, such attacks may discourage trade and transport, further isolating vulnerable communities.
Traders are already struggling with high fuel prices, insecurity, and extortion at river checkpoints, and incidents like this risk worsening an already fragile economy.
Many river travellers have called for the re-establishment of regular military or police patrols along key river sections, including Shambe Port, where the attack took place.
Shambe Port, located in Lakes State, serves as a strategic river link between central and northern parts of South Sudan. The absence of reliable road infrastructure in many regions makes the river system crucial for transporting goods, aid, and people. Despite its importance, insecurity along the river remains a major obstacle to economic development and humanitarian response.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the government has yet to issue an official statement about the incident.