Military Intelligence in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State has detained more than 27 people in Torit County in connection with an attack on a delegation of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The delegation was traveling along the Torit-Magwi Road while conducting political mobilization activities in Eastern Equatoria when it came under attack.
The incident has renewed concerns over insecurity on major roads in the state, where ambushes, armed attacks and other criminal activities have repeatedly disrupted movement.
Eastern Equatoria Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Abdalla Aziz Pieng confirmed that several people had been arrested by Military Intelligence and were being investigated over the incident.
“Some people were arrested by Military intelligent and they will investigate, the are more than 27” he said.
The commissioner did not provide details on the identities of those detained or indicate whether investigators had established their direct involvement in the attack.
He appealed to residents to report suspected criminal activity to security authorities and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving security along public roads.
Aziz said authorities would pursue those responsible for attacks against political delegations as well as other incidents of insecurity affecting communities and travelers.
The latest incident comes against a backdrop of recurring insecurity in Eastern Equatoria, particularly along major roads linking Torit with other parts of the state.
The SPLM has previously faced attacks against its delegations in the region.
This year , the SPLM Eastern Equatoria State Secretariat condemned an ambush on a party delegation along the Camp 15-Chukudum road in Budi County.
The attack reportedly occurred as delegates returning to Chukudum were traveling through Ngarera Lohipor Boma in Homiri Payam.
The party said two people were killed and a young girl was injured.
Magwi County has also experienced years of insecurity linked to armed conflict, community tensions and attacks along key transport routes.
In previous years, major roads in the area have been affected by ambushes and armed clashes, including incidents involving government and opposition forces.
Meanwhile, community leaders are calling for greater transparency over the latest arrests.
Auxilio Odume, chairperson of the Oriok Supreme Council, said youths from Himodongi, Ifwotu, Hifire, Imurok, Lofiriha, Kudo and Lowi had gathered to discuss ways of addressing insecurity in their communities.
“We have come here to discuss how we can resolve these security issues, particularly starting from the main checkpoint in Isolora, where the incidents are happening all the time,” Odume said.
He said the community wanted authorities to provide information about the people who had been taken for investigation and clarify the reasons for their detention.
The calls come as authorities face pressure to address insecurity while also ensuring that security operations do not create further tensions between communities and government institutions.
For residents along the Torit-Magwi corridor, the central concern remains the safety of people traveling on public roads.
Community leaders say addressing insecurity will require cooperation between local communities, law enforcement agencies and state authorities.
The investigation into the attack is expected to determine who was behind the incident and whether those detained will face charges. For now, authorities have not publicly released further details about the suspects or the circumstances surrounding the arrests.