At least one person was killed, another is missing and a third was injured after an ambush along the Juba–Bor Highway on Tuesday evening, officials said.
The Jonglei Drivers’ Union said the attack occurred in the Khor Makuach area when unidentified gunmen, believed to be from Terekeka County, opened fire on a passenger vehicle traveling toward Bor.
Deng Kur Biar, a member of the union, confirmed the incident, saying one man was killed, another passenger was injured and a woman remains unaccounted for.
“We came under sudden gunfire at Khor Makuach, and it caused panic among passengers. One man lost his life instantly, another was wounded, and a woman is still missing. This road is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially in the evenings,” Kur said.
Kur said the deceased was from Angakuei in Baidit Payam of Bor County and that the body had been transported to Juba for burial.
He called on the Central Equatoria State government and national authorities to deploy security forces along the Juba–Bor Highway, particularly around Khor Makuach, citing repeated attacks in the area. He also warned drivers and travelers to avoid using the road at night due to insecurity.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between the Dinka Bor and Mundari communities, who have recently accused each other of carrying out violent attacks.
On April 2, suspected armed cattle raiders from Terekeka County attacked the Wungok cattle camp belonging to the Dinka Bor community in the Rejaf area near Juba, killing 14 people, including five children, and injuring several others.
However, Terekeka County Commissioner Emmanuel Loku denied any involvement by his community in both incidents.
“I spoke with the Bor County commissioner this morning. This incident occurred in Juba County, not in Terekeka County. It took place in an area called Khor Makuach. There are no Mundari settlements or cattle camps there, so this cannot be linked to Terekeka,” Loku said.
He also said there was no evidence linking Mundari individuals to the April 2 attack in Rejaf, adding that intelligence reports suggested the perpetrators may have been criminals from Bor who mistakenly targeted the cattle camp, believing it belonged to the Mundari.
“We, as authorities on both sides, do not have evidence connecting the Mundari to these incidents,” he said.
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