Armed assailants attacked a convoy of two International Organization for Migration (IOM) vehicles in South Sudan’s Jonglei State on Friday, critically injuring the driver of one vehicle, a local official said.
The attack occurred at Mareng Junction near Poktap town in Duk County as the convoy was transporting staff to Duk Padiet after completing repairs on a flood-prevention dyke, said County Commissioner John Chatiem Ruei.
“The driver of the first vehicle was critically injured,” Ruei told Radio Tamazuj. “The attackers fled into the bushes when they saw the second vehicle approaching.”
The wounded driver was taken to a local health center before being transferred to a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) facility in Bor for treatment of gunshot wounds, Ruei said.
The commissioner accused assailants from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) of carrying out the attack, citing their escape route and use of the Murle language.
However, GPAA Information Minister Nyingnga Okanho Kiro denied the allegations, saying authorities had no prior knowledge of the incident.
“We are not aware of these attacks,” Kiro said. “If we receive any information, we will share it.”
IOM could not immediately be reached for comment.
South Sudan is considered one of the most dangerous countries for aid workers, with frequent targeted attacks on humanitarian personnel and organizations.