A child was killed and two other people injured when two vehicles were attacked and set ablaze along the Yambio-Tambura road in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State on Sunday, local officials said.
Tambura County Commissioner James Mupaya told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the incident occurred near Mabia, about 14 km from Tambura, at around 4 p.m. as the vehicles were travelling towards Tambura.
Mupaya said the vehicles were allegedly attacked by forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).
He said one of the vehicles was carrying six people, including five adults and a child aged about eight. The child was killed at the scene, while one adult passenger was wounded and taken for medical treatment. The other passengers were unharmed, he added.
Mupaya said no arrests had been made and investigations were under way.
He also said a voice message warning of a possible attack in Tambura had circulated on WhatsApp four days before the incident.
Western Equatoria State Information Minister Noah Issah Philip said the identity of the deceased child had not been established when he contacted the county commissioner for clarification.
Philip urged civilians travelling between Tambura and Yambio to remain vigilant, exercise caution and avoid unnecessary journeys during late hours, citing security concerns along the road.
Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner Justin Waiwai said police were investigating the killing and the burning of the two vehicles to establish the circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible. He said no suspects had been arrested.
Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa condemned the attack, which he described as targeting government vehicles.
The SPLA-IO had not publicly commented on the allegations. Efforts by Radio Tamazuj to reach its representatives in the area for comment were unsuccessful.
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