An uneasy calm has returned to the Western Equatoria State capital, Yambio, on Monday after two days of heavy gunfire in several residential areas left three people dead and two others injured amidst widespread looting.
Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Phillip Madut Tong confirmed that the shootings occurred between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, mainly in the town’s suburbs of Masia, Napere, Ikpiro, and surrounding areas.
“During the incident on Saturday night, three people were killed and two seriously injured,” he told Radio Tamazuj. “The situation is now calm, shops have reopened, the market is functioning, and no gunshots have been heard today.”
Business owners who spoke on condition of anonymity said several shops were broken into as traders fled during the gunfire. They alleged that some members of the SSPDF and other forces were involved in the looting.
“Our traders ran away and left their shops open. Food items, phones, and other goods were all taken,” one trader reported. “We call on the government to address the losses the business community has suffered.”
Residents running phone charging businesses in Masia were among those affected.
Justin Emmanuel said he lost three smartphones and SSP 600,000 after abandoning his workplace as the gunfire intensified over the weekend.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “The government witnessed what happened and should ensure such a shooting does not happen again.”
Another person who runs a phone charging facility said he lost six phones, including four smartphones and two button phones, and SSP 450,000. He appealed to authorities not to deploy armed forces near markets.
In a separate incident, John Cele, the acting commissioner of Tambura County, reported that an SSPDF soldier was shot dead by suspected SPLM-IO forces while collecting firewood near the barracks.
“One of our soldiers was about 500 meters from the barracks when he was shot dead,” he said. “Later that night, the same rebels returned and began shooting, and the SSPDF responded because their position was under attack.”
The state government has not yet officially commented on the gunfire in Yambio, but local leaders are urging the public to remain calm as security forces continue to monitor the situation.
By Monday morning, residents confirmed that no gunshots had been heard and business activities were slowly returning to normal, though many are calling for stronger security measures to prevent future incidents.