By Sabri Dibaco
Two mourners were killed and four others injured after their vehicle was ambushed by unidentified armed men along the Mundri–Juba Road in Mundri East County, Western Equatoria State, county authorities have confirmed.
According to a press statement issued by the Commissioner of Mundri East County, Daite B. Mathew, the victims were returning to Juba after attending a burial in Wiroh when their vehicle came under attack between Doroh and Buägyi on Monday morning.
The deceased were identified as Saliwa Abau Emmanuel and Medina Stephen Khamis.
Those injured in the attack were named as Yakoub Salibuno Manase, Susan Arito Edward, Margret Khamis Olivia, and Cicilia Jackson Bullen.
The commissioner said county authorities immediately alerted security forces, which were deployed to the scene and have since launched an operation to pursue the perpetrators.
“The security forces were immediately notified and deployed by the county authority at the scene to arrest the situation. As we talk, security forces are in pursuit of the criminals,” the statement said.
Daite strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric act against innocent civilians.
“Mundri East County Authority, in the highest possible terms, condemns this barbaric act of ambushing and targeting the killing of unarmed innocent civilians by the so-called unknown bandits or armed groups along Mundri East County highways,” the commissioner said.
The county leadership also expressed sympathy with the families affected by the incident and wished the injured a quick recovery.
“The leadership of Mundri East County stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and investigations are ongoing.
The Mundri–Juba Road is a vital transport corridor linking Western Equatoria State to the national capital.
However, parts of the highway have experienced repeated incidents of ambushes and attacks by unidentified armed groups in recent years, raising concerns over the safety of travelers and the movement of goods.
State and county authorities have repeatedly called for enhanced security patrols along the route to protect civilians and restore public confidence in road transport.