E. Equatoria Governor condemns killings of three travellers

June 10, 2010 (TORIT) – Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lajore has strongly condemned the killing of three passengers in a car ambush attributed to suspected hill-based militants on June 7. The deadly car ambush saw many other passengers with injuries and bruises.

Two business vehicles were attacked by unknown gunmen along Torit – Kapoeta and Torit – Ikoto roads in Eastern Equatoria State, the car ambush happened near Labaluwa Mountain Hiyala payam in Torit County.

In a press release in Torit on Wednesday, the Governor said he was deeply pained and anguished at the cowardly, dastardly and brutal killings of the three civilians.

Describing the incident as a heinous crime, Lobong said he had asked the state security organs to take swift and effective action against the perpetrators so that the rule of law and respect for authority was maintained.

Governor also appealed to the people to come together and share the grief of the families of the deceased.

Official sources said the vehicle had been ambushed by suspected hill based bandits.

In separate communiqué obtained by Sudan Tribune, the governor was quoted as saying “intelligence reports have spotted clique of numerous small meetings that are reportedly being held within the town to destabilize the new government.”

Lobong appealed that “government is not for one ethnic group or people but for the entire community of Eastern Equatoria State,” adding that “he did not force himself to power but was mandated by popular votes from the people of Eastern Equatoria.”

He lamented that, “people should refrain from all election grudges that happened in the run up to the last April elections, embrace reconciliation so as to work together for the sake of peaceful co-existence of EES people.”

Security forces have been deployed along the highways leading to Kapoeta and Ikoto to help protect the civilian travelling along those major routes, however, vehicles operators have been told to avoid night travels until the situation in contained by the state authorities.

(ST)