Senior officials of Yei River state killed or wounded

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – A number of officials of the newly created Yei River state have been killed with some in critical conditions after sustaining serious gunshot wounded after falling into ambush laid by suspected SPLA-IO troops on Yei-Morobo on Saturday and Sunday.

Sources in Yei told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that among the confirmed dead include private secretary of the education minister who died on the spot and the office manager of the Yei town mayor who later died in Yei hospital.

“Many of our state government officials have been wounded when they were attacked on the road between Yei and Morobo by rebels. They are now being treated in the hospital for serious gunshot wounds,” an eye witness in Yei town told Sudan Tribune.

The source added that a number of senior government officials have been seriously wounded and are in critical conditions in Yei Civil Hospital. These seriously wounded state officials include Morobo county commissioner, Jacob Toti, Education minister, Mary Apayi Ayiga and state advisor on political affairs, Jackson Abugo.

The state governor, David Lokonga, was also reported to be missing and was on the run towards Uganda border.

Morobo, south of Yei town, has been captured since last week by the opposition forces loyal to former First Vice President, Riek Machar, who also reportedly control Juba-Yei road, cutting off Yei town from the national capital.

Also gunshots were reported inside Yei town, but it was not clear what sparked the situation amidst fears among the residents for imminent violent clashes in case the opposition forces attack the town.

Meanwhile, opposition forces loyal to Machar said they killed 25 soldiers and destroyed two military trucks between Torit and Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria on Sunday after clashes with forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The government forces were said to be composed of national security personnel.

(ST)