Authorities in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State have confirmed that two people were killed during a night of sustained gunfire in the town of Yambio.
The two bodies, both with gunshot wounds, were taken to Yambio State Hospital on Sunday morning, according to the facility’s medical director, Dr. Konjo Samuel.
He told Radio Tamazuj that the individuals were declared dead on arrival and that their identities had not yet been established.
“We have received two dead bodies with gunshot wounds. No injured persons have been brought in so far. We will release more information after examinations,” Dr. Konjo said.
Residents in several neighbourhoods, including Napere, Masia, and central Yambio, reported hearing intense gunfire from Saturday evening until Sunday morning.
James Abdallah Arona, the acting Minister of Information and Communication, said the government had launched an investigation but could not yet confirm who was involved.
“We cannot say anything now. Serious investigations are underway, and we will update the public once facts are established,” he told reporters.
While official details remain scarce, local civil society leader Wanga Emmanuel condemned the violence.
“Forces in uniform should leave civilian areas like Masia to the police, and the government must take control,” he said, while also advising civilians to remain indoors during any shooting.
Residents have also reported incidents of looting and unverified cases of injuries, though these claims have not been confirmed by hospital or government officials.
Radio Tamazuj has been unable to independently verify accounts from residents alleging specific casualties, including the shooting of a student and an elderly woman.
The incident in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, comes amid a backdrop of rising insecurity in the region. Tensions have been high since February, when President Salva Kiir dismissed the SPLM-IO-appointed governor, General Alfred Futuyo Karaba.