A deadly road ambush that killed a Kenyan engineer has ignited a fresh round of accusations between South Sudan’s government and the opposition SPLA-IO.
The attack, which took place on July 31 along a key trade route, has heightened tensions and renewed concerns over the fragile security situation in the region.
Morobo County local official said the victim, identified as Kenyan civil engineer James Karigi, was on his way to a construction site for the Don Bosco Catholic Diocese of Morobo when his vehicle was ambushed by gunmen.
The attack, as confirmed by the Morobo County local authorities, occurred on the volatile Morobo-Kaya road.
According to a statement from the Commissioner’s office seen by this outlet. The fate of Karigi’s Kenyan colleague and two accompanying motorcycle riders remains unknown to date.
Meanwhile, Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data Bullen wasted no time in blaming the SPLA-IO.
In a statement condemning the “brutal act,” Bullen pointed to a gunman killed by government troops (SSPDF) at the scene, claiming the individual was a “known IO militant for a long time.”
The commissioner’s press unit quoted Bullen believes “persisting SPLA-IO forces are in charge of the ongoing insurgency hitting the county.”
However, in a twist of events, the SPLA-IO swiftly and fiercely denied the allegations.
Spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO spokesman called the accusations “completely baseless and false,” accusing Commissioner Bullen of “uninformed display of hypocrisy” and attempting to please his “masters in Juba.”
Col. Lam who protested in his social media handle argued that the SPLA-IO would not target an “unimportant” road that holds “no significance to the struggle.” The statement also emphasized the group’s commitment to protecting all civilian lives.
The SPLA-IO further suggested that the commissioner should investigate the “hunger stricken SSPDF,” which, according to Bullen’s own account, arrived at the scene “within a few minutes” of the attack.
This incident underscores the deep mistrust that persists between the government and opposition forces despite their participation in a transitional unity government.
The Morobo-Kaya road, a vital link to Uganda, has long been plagued by insecurity. With both sides trading accusations, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges to achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.
