Two SPLA soldiers killed in Pibor ambush

March 29, 2015 (BOR) – Two soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA), along with two other newly integrated former Cobra fighters and one civilian lost their lives after the military pick up truck they were travelling in was ambushed between Gumuruk and Pibor on Friday.

According to Peter Guzulu, a security advisor for the Greater Pibor Administration Area (GPAA), the pickup left Pibor town on Friday on a mission to Gumuruk.

The vehicle was reportedly carrying 10 people, some of whom were civilians.

“On the way I heard that some people fired upon it and five people happened to have been killed,” said Guzulu by phone from Pibor on Sunday, adding that two others remain accounted for.

No-one has been detained yet in relation to the attack, although Guzulu suspects rebel fighters connected to former vice-president Riek Machar may be involved.

“I think these are the people did that, because [there is] nobody else that can do something like that,” he said.

SPLA officers have been stationed in Pibor for more than three months reintegrating former fighters from the Cobra factions into the army and other organised units.

The attack is the first on the SPLA since they began their work in the area.

Guzulu said the GPAA is determined to investigate who was behind the fatal incident.

“We are still trying to investigate; we want to know,” he said. “We are still trying to find out who did that. Are they criminals with political ambition or what?” he added.

(ST)