A group of gunmen opened fire in the Mopoi area of Tambura County in Western Equatoria State on Monday night, killing one civilian and wounding three children, local officials said Tuesday.
Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge told Radio Tamazuj that the victims included a young girl and two boys.
“One civilian was killed, and three others — a female child and two male children — were injured in Mopoi,” Mabenge said.
He attributed the violence to a surge in targeted attacks allegedly carried out by armed groups loyal to a former state governor and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) commander, Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba.
“In the past month alone, more than three people have been killed and four others wounded in these attacks,” Mabenge said. “This wave of violence has created panic and disrupted daily life. Due to fear, we will not be able to hold Independence Day celebrations on July 9 in Tambura.”
He urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid criminal activity.
Acting Tambura Police Inspector 1st Lt. John Kinolo Baptist confirmed the attack, saying the injured were all under 10 and had been targeted in their home. They were being treated at Tambura Hospital.
“With elections approaching, rising insecurity threatens citizens’ participation,” Baptist said. “We are witnessing killings, abductions and continued attacks. The government must act now.”
He called for urgent security reinforcements, warning that the crisis has displaced children, disrupted education and worsened food shortages.
Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong said suspected rebels had attacked a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) unit in Mopoi, leading to the civilian casualties.
Madut said the situation was now under control and urged citizens to peacefully observe South Sudan’s 14th Independence Anniversary.
Security forces, he said, were on high alert in Tambura and Yambio to prevent further violence.
SPLA-IO officials in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.