N. Bahr el Ghazal: 2 killed and 6 injured in ‘isolated’ grenade attack

19 October 2011 (JUBA) – At least two people were killed and six injured last week when a grenade exploded at California Bar and Restaurant, located in the outskirts of Aweil, the capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, eye-witnesses informed Sudan Tribune by telephone on Wednesday.

Betty Athieno, a Kenyan national and an unidentified South Sudanese man were reported to have been killed in the incident, while those critically injured were rushed to hospital.

The cause of the explosion is unclear, although it is rumoured it could have occurred as a result of a disagreement.

Akot Deng Akot, the state’s police commissioner described the attack as an “isolated incident” allegedly planned by aggrieved individuals with differing opinions.

“What occurred last week was highly regrettable and we strongly condemn such acts of cowardice against […] innocent citizens,” Akot said.

The police in collaboration with security agencies, he added, have launched thorough investigations into the cause of the incident. He did not, however, clarify when the findings of this investigation will be unveiled.

Officials at the Kenyan embassy to South Sudan in Juba told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that the body of the deceased Kenyan national had been transported to Nairobi and handed over to her relatives.

Attacks of this nature are uncommon in South Sudan, which officially became independent in July. The country’s interior minister recently vowed to crack down on all criminal-related activities in Africa’s newest nation.

(ST)