17/05/2026
Girls seen with knife during presidential convoy traffic
Three young women were seen with a knife during traffic delays caused by a presidential convoy movement after Saturday’s SPLA Day celebrations in Juba, according to Prof. Julia Aker Duany, a South Sudanese academic and former senior government official.
Roads across parts of the capital were temporarily closed as President Salva Kiir returned from the May 16 event, causing heavy traffic and forcing motorists to stop along major routes in the city.
In a Facebook post shared after the incident, Duany alleged that one of the girls pulled out a knife while waiting for presidential guards to pass.
“While they were waiting for the Presidential guards to pass one of girls pulled out the knife and showing the act of cutting someone throats,” Duany wrote.
Images attached to the post appeared to show one of the girls holding a knife beside the motorbike during the traffic standstill. Authorities had not publicly commented on the incident by Saturday evening.
“This is how the gangsters had capture Republic of South Sudan, especially Juba city,” she added.
Temporary road closures and heightened security are common during major state events in Juba, often leading to long traffic delays across the capital.
