29/07/2026
Fourteen passengers remain missing after armed men allegedly attacked a commercial boat in Jonglei State two weeks ago, the South Sudan boat operators' union has said.
The South Sudan Boats Union said the vessel was carrying gum Arabic from Renk and had 18 passengers on board when it came under attack in Twic East County.
Union chairperson Moses Duom Deir said four passengers escaped by swimming away and were later rescued, while the boat and the remaining passengers have not been found.
"When the boat was attacked, four people escaped through the water and were picked up elsewhere," Duom said.
Authorities have not commented on the incident, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack remain unclear.
In a related incident, authorities in Central Equatoria State said six civilians remain missing after an abduction in Morobo County.
The Central Equatoria State Security Committee said 36 civilians were abducted in the Gober area, with 30 later escaping.
Committee spokesperson and Juba mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani said security agencies had been instructed to pursue the case and secure the release of those still missing.
The committee also ordered the reactivation of an anti-gang task force to tackle crime in Juba and surrounding areas. Wani said the task force would resume operations to address criminal activity in Juba City and Juba County and improve security in the capital.
