Five Ugandans killed in S. Sudan ambush

Kampala- At least five Ugandan businessmen were yesterday evening killed in an ambush following continued clashes between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and those of his deputy Riek Machar.
According to eye witnesses, the incident happened at Aruu junction inside South Sudan at around 4pm on Monday evening.
They said vehicle said to be carrying 10 people was ambushed while coming from Juba to Nimule towards the border point of Elegu.

“We have witnessed five bodies being offloaded out here at Elegu Police Station and the rest of the injured occupants have been rushed to Lacor hospital in Gulu town,” said Moses Okiring together with his colleague Robert Okello who saw the bodies.

“The South Sudanese driver, whose legs were shot and shuttered by the attackers of the ambush was not allowed to cross into Uganda but the business community here had to plead to security officers to allow him be taken to Gulu hospital,” Mr Okiring said.

The better part of yesterday in Juba was dominated by gunfire exchanges between the two rival forces, involving heavy artillery, helicopter gunships, tanks and light weapons.
A source based in Juba who spoke to Daily Monitor, said fighting had resumed at about 8:40am in Jebel, the same area where violence erupted on Sunday.

The clashes that erupted last week, with earlier skirmishes in Wau city have at least left about 270 people dead, mostly fighters.

By press time, yesterday Daily Monitor had not established the number of lives lost in Monday’s violence, but among the dead, reportedly included UN peace keepers from China killed in the fighting.

However, Mr Anthony Adama, the First Secretary at the Ugandan Embassy in Juba, also said about 20 Ugandans had run to the Embassy compound where they have taken refuge. “These also include children and we are trying to get them food,” Mr Adama said.

Foreign Affairs ministry permanent secretary Ambassador James Mugume said government was waiting for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting outcomes before making a decision on whether to repatriate Ugandans trapped in South Sudan.

“The IGAD meeting will consider the situation on the ground in South Sudan and decide the next course of action,” Amb Mugume said.

The message of IGAD’s chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn, contained in a statement released yesterday, indicated that he is deeply disturbed by the fighting and deaths that have occurred as result of the violence.

Mr Hailemariam, the Ethiopia Prime Minister, said: “South Sudan leaders can, and must, demonstrate their determination and ability to rise up to this new challenge immediately.”
He adding that government and the opposition in South Sudan are duty bound to exercise restraint and avoid any measures that are likely to escalate the situation.

“As chairman of IGAD, I would like to call upon all parties to refrain from violence and urgently take all necessary steps to restore peace and stability in the capital and other parts of the country,” the statement read in part.

Yesterday, the United States also demanded an immediate end to renewed fighting in the capital of South Sudan, ordering all non-essential personnel out of the troubled country.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also called for an end to the fighting, while separately demanding that President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Reik Machar do their utmost to control their respective forces.

He also condemned an attack on the UNMISS Compound which he says left two UN peace keepers and one UNMISS staff dead, and other 35 injured.

He asked the UN Security Council to discuss sanctions against South Sudan, including an arms embargo. He also ordered for the fortification of the UN mission House in Juba.
“The members of the Security Council encouraged states in the region to prepare to provide additional troops in the event the Council so decides. In the interim, [the Council] stressed the need for UNMISS to make full use of its authority to use all necessary means to protect civilians,” Ki-moon said.

The UN Secretary General’s remarks came immediately after President Kiir had announced a ceasefire through his spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny.

President Kirr signed off the order directing all commanders of the opposing groups to protect the civilian population and their property and also aordered reduced checkpoints in the capital Juba.

“All commanders of these forces are directed to control their forces and ensure protection of any ethic group that may be targeted by their forces,” President Kirr wrote in a cessation of hostilities order.

By Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Joseph Eigu Onyango, Risdel Kasasira
& Blanshe Musinguzi