Five Youth Abducted and Brutally Assaulted by Suspected SPLA-IO Soldiers in Tambura
In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, five young people, including two women, were violently abducted and severely beaten by armed elements believed to be affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Tambura County. This brutal attack, confirmed by local officials and residents, represents a severe violation of human rights and a direct challenge to the fragile peace in Western Equatoria State.
A Day of Harvest Turns into a Nightmare
The terrifying ordeal unfolded on Friday in the Kpangima village, located south of Tambura town. The victims, whose only intention was to harvest cassava from their farms to feed their families, were intercepted by a group of gunmen. They were then forcibly taken towards the remote Nabanga area, their fate uncertain. This act of violence against civilians engaged in subsistence farming highlights the precarious security situation that continues to plague the region, where the simple act of seeking food can become a life-threatening endeavor.
Community Mobilization Leads to a Desperate Rescue Effort
According to Thomas Bandaisa, the Acting Paramount Chief of Tambura County, the community’s response was swift and determined. “One youth managed to escape from the captors and immediately informed us of the dire situation,” Chief Bandaisa recounted in an interview. Upon receiving the alarming news, local elders and community members sprang into action. A delegation, led by a concerned citizen named Mr. Angelo Davide, courageously followed the trail of the armed group to plead for the release of the remaining victims.
“The intervention of the community was crucial,” Bandaisa emphasized. “After negotiations, the youth were eventually freed. However, they had been beaten seriously. We are, by the grace of God, fortunate that none lost their lives in this senseless act of violence.” The successful, though tense, negotiation underscores the critical role that local leadership and communal solidarity play in the absence of robust state security.
Victims Speak Out: Accused of Espionage While Seeking Food
One of the victims, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity for fear of brutal reprisals, shared the chilling details of the assault. The man, identified only as Wilson to protect his identity, revealed that he and his pregnant wife were among those taken. His account paints a picture of arbitrary cruelty and unfounded suspicion.
“They beat me relentlessly until blood streamed from my eyes,” Wilson recalled, his voice trembling with the trauma of the experience. “They hurled baseless accusations at us, claiming we were spies. Yet our only crime was going to the farm to feed our families. We are simple farmers, not combatants.” He issued a heartfelt plea that resonates with the broader yearning of the South Sudanese people: “We want nothing more than peace. Without peace, we cannot cultivate our land, our children cannot go to school, and our communities will continue to suffer endlessly.”
Official Condemnation and a Call for Adherence to the Peace Agreement
The acting county commissioner, John Cele, did not mince words in his condemnation of the attack. He labeled the abduction and assault a flagrant violation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which was designed to end years of bloody conflict in South Sudan. Commissioner Cele’s statement highlights the growing frustration with armed groups that continue to operate with impunity.
“We strongly urge the SPLM-IO forces to immediately cease the harassment and intimidation of innocent civilians,” Cele stated firmly. “The people of Tambura are already enduring immense hardship. Many are internally displaced, facing severe hunger, and living without access to basic services like healthcare and clean water. These political differences must be addressed through peaceful dialogue at the negotiating table, not through violence inflicted upon the most vulnerable.”
A Fragile Calm Under Threat
Despite repeated attempts by news outlets to contact SPLM-IO officials for their side of the story, no comment has been forthcoming. Similarly, state authorities and national security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, a silence that local residents find deeply concerning.
This alarming event serves as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of the calm in Tambura. The county has been painstakingly recovering from past violent clashes between rival forces, and many fear that such unprovoked attacks on civilians could easily reignite tensions and unravel the hard-won progress. The continued harassment not only inflicts immediate physical and psychological harm but also risks undermining the very foundation of the peace process, leaving communities trapped in a cycle of fear and instability. For the people of Tambura, the path to true and lasting peace remains fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Credit and Source: This expanded report is based on original journalism from Sudan’s Post. Full credit for the initial reporting goes to the original source. We encourage our readers to read the original article for more insights directly from the source.