South Sudan: Unidentified gunmen ambush passenger vehicle near Yei (Central Equatoria state) on May 12

Event

Unidentified gunmen killed three civilians and wounded six others in an ambush on a passenger vehicle near Yei (Central Equatoria state) on Tuesday morning (local time), May 12. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from the capital Juba to Yei. As of Tuesday, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Further attacks are possible in the region over the near term.

Context

South Sudan has been wracked by years of political, interethnic, and intercommunal violence - exacerbated by border and oil revenue disputes with Sudan. President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar signed an initial peace agreement in September 2018, following a series of negotiations. The unity government was only agreed on February 22, 2020.

Advice

Due to the high threat of intercommunal conflict and violent crime, all travel to South Sudan should be subject to a thorough localized threat assessment and undertaken in coordination with a trusted security provider. Members are advised to subject all travel, particularly to remote and rural areas, to strict journey management protocols. Avoid travel at night, vary routines and maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness. Monitor local media sources to remain apprised of security-related developments and adhere to any directives issued by local authorities.