(JUBA) – Two people were killed in two separate armed attacks along the Morobo–Kaya road near Kanja on 1 and 2 July, raising new concerns about growing insecurity in Central Equatoria State.
In the first incident, a commercial motorcycle rider known as John Bosco, also called “Munu,” was shot dead by unknown gunmen. In a second ambush the following day, an SSPDF soldier, Job Wol, was also killed near the same location.
The attacks have triggered fear among local residents and disrupted transport in the area. Several truck drivers remain stranded at Morobo County Headquarters, unable to proceed with their journeys as they await security clearance from authorities.
Officials have linked the latest wave of insecurity to the recent dismantling of opposition forces in Panyume, a nearby area that has since seen a mass displacement of civilians. More than 7,000 people are reported to have fled their homes due to violence and instability.
Despite efforts by local authorities to stabilise the region, unidentified armed groups continue to stage violent ambushes along the roadways, threatening both civilians and military personnel. The motive behind the killings remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility.
Local residents and travellers have called for increased military patrols and faster response from security forces to ensure the safe movement of goods and people in the region. The Morobo–Kaya road is a key link between Yei and the South Sudan–Uganda border, used frequently by traders and humanitarian workers.