By Lodu William Odiya
The morning attack on Ruweng Administrative Area has left commissioner and Executive Director dead.
The Commissioner of Abiemnhom County and the county’s Executive Director were killed in a pre-dawn attack on Sunday in the Ruweng Administrative Area, authorities have confirmed.
Officials accused the White Army militia, allegedly supported by elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), of carrying out the assault that left several civilians dead.
Addressing the Media on Sunday, Ruweng Administrative Area Chief Administrator Stephano Wieu De Mialek said the attack began at approximately 4:29 a.m. and lasted for nearly four hours.
“Armed militia from Mayom County, with elements of SPLA-IO, launched a heavy attack on Abiemnhom County. It was a sustained battle of about three to four hours,” Wieu said.
“We are receiving reports that houses have been burned and civilians have been killed” he said.
He described the loss of the county’s top officials as a major blow to the local administration and the country at large.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Government of Ruweng Administrative Area and its people announce that in this crisis we have lost our County Commissioner and the Executive Director of Abiemnhom County,” he said.
The Ruweng Administrative Area Condemned the ‘Barbaric Attack’ on civilians.
Wieu termed the assault “well-organized and coordinated,” noting it was the second major killing incident in the area since April last year.
“The Government of Ruweng Administrative Area condemns this barbaric act in the strongest terms. We declare this an act of rebellion,” he said, alleging that the White Army militia from Mayom County acted with the backing of SPLA-IO elements.
He called on the national government to urgently enforce the state of emergency previously declared by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Mayom County.
“If this is implemented swiftly, it will help contain the situation and prevent it from spreading to other areas,” he added.
Authorities reported that several civilians were killed and many displaced as houses and markets were set ablaze during the attack.
Wieu appealed to humanitarian agencies to coordinate emergency assistance for affected families, citing urgent needs for food, shelter and medical support.
He also called on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to open humanitarian corridors and enhance civilian protection.
According to local authorities, government forces have since repelled the attackers and are deploying additional security measures to prevent further violence.
“Our forces are on the ground and are putting measures in place to ensure that further attacks are countered and civilians are protected,” Wieu said, urging residents to remain vigilant.
The attack underscores ongoing insecurity in parts of Ruweng Administrative Area, raising fresh concerns about civilian safety and regional stability.
Efforts to reach Unity State officials at the time for press were not successful.
In a separate statement a civil society activist condemned the attack and call on the government to strengthen efforts to protect civilian.
Speaking to the Media, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) condemned the attack and urged the government to intervene.
He urged the communities as well as armed groups to prioritized dialogue in order to end bloodshed.
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