A group of gunmen attacked an outpost for joint security forces in Maridi County, Western Equatoria State, on Wednesday, leaving a police officer dead and an SSPDF officer injured, local officials said.
The slain police officer was identified as Second Lieutenant Stephen John Taban.
Alfred Mirri, the County Commissioner of Maridi, told Radio Tamazuj that the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when armed assailants launched an assault on the joint security forces’ outpost in Modubai Boma.
“The assailants came and attacked the outpost of the joint forces in Modubai Boma at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, killing a police officer and wounding another soldier,” he said.
“The police officer was on duty at the time of the attack. After the incident, the attackers fled after being repulsed by the joint forces, and calm has since been restored to the area.”
However, the commissioner said the security situation has since returned to normal in the county, and local citizens are celebrating the 14th independence anniversary.
Mirri called on the youth of South Sudan to refrain from violence and instead focus on nation-building through agriculture and peaceful coexistence.
“My appeal to the youth is to reject crime and conflict. Let us stand together for peace, reconciliation, and development,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Daniel Bakindo of Maridi County also confirmed receiving reports that a police officer was killed after gunmen attacked a joint government forces outpost in Modubai. He stated that the barracks had been set up by the government to protect civilians following earlier tensions in the area.
“After the removal of Western Equatoria Governor Alfred Futuyo from his position, the government deployed forces there for the protection of the Modubai community. What happened yesterday morning was that as the army was preparing for the Independence Day anniversary, they came under attack, and one of our sons in the police was killed,” he explained.
“If these are youth from Maridi involved in the attack, then it is unfortunate,” said the chief. “Maridi is known for peace and agriculture. If there are grievances, let them be addressed through dialogue, not violence.”
For his part, State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Phillip Madut Tong confirmed that suspected rebels killed a police officer and injured an SSPDF officer in the attack on the joint security forces outpost in Maridi.
“The injured individual survived the gunshot. We are closely monitoring the situation,” said Maj. Gen. Madut. “These attacks are unfortunate, especially at a time when we are celebrating our country’s independence peacefully.”
He also reported that in Mundri West County, a civilian was injured after being shot by unknown gunmen on Tuesday.
“I call on those involved in such activities to denounce violence and embrace peace. Our people have suffered enough from conflict and insecurity,” Madut appealed.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
However, multiple sources told Radio Tamazuj that the assault on the army outpost in Maridi was launched by SPLA-IO forces under the command of Gen. Mabieh Gar.
The attack comes amid renewed tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with detained First Vice President Riek Machar.
The violence threatens to unravel a fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar, whose earlier five-year conflict killed an estimated 400,000 people.
Political instability has worsened since March, when Kiir placed Machar under house arrest in Juba, drawing concern from international observers.