Top lawmaker says gov’t soldiers involved in latest attack on villagers in Central Equatoria

JUBA – A member of Central Equatoria state legislative assembly has accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of involvement in this week attack in which armed men believed to have come from Jonglei state attacked villagers killing six and wounding more.

The attack on Thursday on Mangala Payam of Central Equatoria state resulted in the killing of six people. Villagers suspects the attackers to be pastoralists from Jonglei State and said that members of the organized forces were involved in the attack.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post yesterday, speaker of Central Equatoria state parliament Peter Wani Elía Kulang said the attack was launched by Bor cattle herders aided by members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

“On behalf of the Central Equatoria State Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly, we strongly condemn the unfortunate attack by Bor Cattle Herders and the Army to the residents of Mangala Payam. The incident occurred yesterday, 15^th Dec 2022, leading to the injuries and killing of six (6) innocent civilians,” he said in the statement dated December 16.

“In light of the above, we as people’s representatives send our condolences to the grieved families, Mangala community and [Central Equatoria State],” the statement further added.

It went on to call on “the government Law enforcers to continually provide adequate security to protect all citizens and travelers along the highways and within Central Equatoria State.”