Jonglei: Three people killed in bus attack

March 16, 2012 (BOR) — At least three people are reported dead and ten injured in an attack on a bus at Pan-Modi, in Jonglei state near the border with Central Equartoria state (CES) at 12.20 pm on Friday.

The source in Gemeza (CES) town told Sudan Tribune that the bus that left Bor at 10.30 am and was attacked by a group of unknown gunmen in the bush bordering CES.

One of the people killed was the private secretary to South Sudan minister of Parliamentary Affaris, Makuei Lueth.

Ten passengers remain missing after the attack.

A journalist of the Sudan Tribune team who was travelling to Juba, met the injured people on the road. He was told by the injured passengers that the attackers, who fired at close range, were member of the Murle ethnic group.

Allegedly, two other buses have been attacked on the Bor-Juba road today, the number of deaths and injuries for which is currently unknown.

The injured passengers are said to waiting for transportation to Bor hospital. Two are said to be in a critical condition.

The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, inaugurated a disarmament programme in Jonglei on Monday; the success of which is critical to the future of the conflict-ridden state.

In January the UN estimated that the conflict, mainly between the Luo-Nuer and Murle ethinc groups, has displaced 120,000 people.

(ST)