South Sudan Authorities Struggle to Stop Road Attacks

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN - Nongovernmental organizations, civil society activists and civilians are calling on South Sudan's government to find a way to stop rampant attacks by unknown gunmen on major roads after three more deadly road ambushes occurred this week.  

In the deadliest attack, five civilians were killed and two others injured in an ambush on the road between the towns of Yei and Kaya on Wednesday. Also Wednesday, an aid worker was killed on a road in Eastern Equatoria state. And Thursday, four bodyguards of the Central Equatoria state governor were shot and killed while traveling on the road between Juba and Yei.  Last month, more than 10 people were killed in three other ambushes along the Juba-Yei road.    In all three of this week's incidents, no one has claimed responsibility, and no one has been arrested.