At least 17 people were killed and nine others injured after a humanitarian convoy was ambushed in Jonglei State’s Duk County on Monday, local officials and the aid organization involved said.
The convoy, operated by the John Dau Foundation (JDF), was returning from a joint training organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Action Against Hunger when it came under attack at about 2 p.m. on the road between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Panyang Payam, Duk County.
Duk County Commissioner John Chatim told Radio Tamazuj that the victims were travelling in two vehicles when suspected armed assailants attacked them.
“The incident happened at around 2 PM, Monday, when the two vehicles carrying people coming from a workshop were ambushed. Seventeen people were killed and nine others injured,” Chatim said.
Chatim blamed the attack on armed men from the neighboring Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
“The attackers are Murle from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area,” he said.
Radio Tamazuj could not independently verify who carried out the attack.
Chatim said local police and youth had been deployed to pursue the attackers and warned the incident could jeopardize recent peace efforts between communities in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
“We have a peace agreement in place and if such things continue, they affect the peace. The government in Pibor should control their criminals like we here in Jonglei are controlling our people,” he said.
In a statement, JDF founder and Executive Director Dhieu Deng Leek said five of the organization’s employees were among those killed. Two other staff members and a driver were seriously injured, while several civilians were also killed or wounded.
“This calculated act of violence has resulted in the tragic loss of five dedicated JDF employees. Additionally, two staff members and a driver sustained serious injuries. We also mourn the loss and injury of several civilians caught in this ruthless assault,” the statement said.
The foundation described the ambush as the deadliest incident in its history, saying its staff had continued to deliver humanitarian assistance despite insecurity in remote parts of Jonglei State.
It said Jonglei Governor Riek Gai Kok and Duk County Commissioner John Chatim had deployed security and recovery teams to the scene, while emergency responders were assisting survivors and working to secure the area.
The organization called on its partners and the wider humanitarian community to support affected families and staff, saying it remains committed to its humanitarian work.
Jacob Werchum Juok, information minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, could not immediately be reached for comment.
South Sudan is consistently ranked among the world’s most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers, alongside neighboring Sudan, where conflict has also taken a heavy toll on aid personnel.
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