By Peter Kuol Kuch and Yiep Joseph
Leader of Boat Union in Jonglei State has confirmed that at least 40 people remain missing following an ambush at Padhiac along Lake Chembe Port over the weekend.
According to the Boat Union in Jonglei State, the commercial boat, loaded with dried salted fish, was boarded at Kaliir in Panyijar, Unity State.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Mr. Agot Panruar, the chairperson of the Boat Union in Jonglei State, stated that the boat was attacked at the Padhiac stop-point. Most of the passengers scattered following the attack, and their whereabouts are not established.
Also, Gabriel Bol Majiok, Panyijiar County Commissioner, confirmed the incident.
According to the commissioner, the boat left Panyijiar County and, while en route to Juba, came under attack in Yirol East County.
“Following the recent movement of boats, the incident took place on Friday evening. The boat was loaded with both salted and dried braided fish. It’s so bad this incident has happened. The number of people missing is said to be 40, while others say it’s 24. There is no accurate report there,” he said.
Mr. Agot stated that the recent ambush on the commercial boat has paused the movement of commercial boats between the states.
“The boat remained stationary, and they dealt with the people. They bound a soldier who was on the boat and then started shooting people. Boats are no longer moving now due to fear of insecurity,” Agot said.
He added that the ambushed boat was heading to Bor Town to the fish market.
It’s yet to be established where the attackers came from.
“It’s not truly known where the attackers come from, but the attackers have come from nearby communities, especially if there are rebels there,” he added.
Efforts to reach the Lakes State government for comment on the matter were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan and the Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN), Bol Deng Bol, condemned the attack and called on the government to arrest those responsible.
Speaking to this outlet, Deng appealed to the government to investigate those behind the attack and ensure they are arrested and brought to justice.
“I urge the government to ensure that the attackers are identified and brought to justice, that those who have lost loved ones are compensated, and that the government takes this seriously,” Deng said.
Activist Bol urged the government to investigate the incident and ensure that those who carried out the attack are brought to justice.
“As civil society, we condemn the attack on the boat along the Nile and urge the national government to investigate and bring to justice those behind the attack,” he added.
He further stated that many people have lost their lives, and there is a need for the government to ensure that the criminals are brought before the law.
“We are heartbroken by this particular attack, and we strongly condemn it,” he said.
“I would like to urge and appeal to the government this time not to allow impunity to override the responsibilities of the government and the trust between the government and its citizens,” he said.
He reiterated a call for the government to redouble efforts in ensuring that the culprits are brought to justice.
“When such a thing happens in the eyes of people, where people are killed and the culprits are not brought to justice,” he stated.
This month, SPDF launched aerial strikes at Panyijar County in Unity State against the invasion and aggression of SPLM/IO rebel forces in the County.