Attackers shoot 15 dead in South Sudan

Unidentified assailants have killed 15 individuals including the commissioner in South Sudan’s Pibor region, according to reports.

The fatal attack occurred when the commissioner of Boma County in Pibor was returning from a village visit.

“The commissioner and his team visited Nyat village, and upon their return, they were ambushed, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals, including the commissioner,” accordidng to report.

The perpetrators are suspected to be youths from the Anyuak community within the region. Those killed included Boma’s deputy army commander, government officials, and the commissioner’s bodyguards.

Despite a peace deal brokered in 2018, clashes persist among various armed groups, leading to civilian casualties and displacement. The Greater Pibor Administrative Area remains particularly affected by such violence.

Boma County, predominantly inhabited by the Murle ethnic group, frequently experiences sporadic violence, sometimes involving the Murle, Anyuak, Nuer, or Dinka communities from neighboring Jonglei State.

The recurring conflicts underscore the persistent challenges facing South Sudan in achieving lasting peace and stability.