Gunfire Echoes Across Yambio Town
Residents of Napere, Masia and central Yambio described a relentless volley of shots stretching from late Saturday into dawn, jolting households and forcing many to lie low behind locked doors and dimmed lamps. Non-stop bursts pierced the night sky, witnesses said, fraying already delicate nerves.
The capital of Western Equatoria State has experienced sporadic unrest in recent months, yet locals say the sheer duration of this shooting felt unprecedented, prompting frantic calls to security hotlines and relatives elsewhere.
Hospital Confirms Two Fatalities
At daybreak, two bodies bearing gunshot wounds arrived at Yambio State Hospital, according to medical director Dr. Konjo Samuel. He reported the victims were declared dead on arrival and remained unidentified pending forensic examination and police tracing. (Radio Tamazuj)
No injured patients have yet been registered, the physician added, cautioning that casualty figures could shift should survivors seek treatment later.
Government Opens Investigation
Acting Information Minister James Abdallah Arona told reporters that security organs are “leaving no stone unturned” to establish responsibility. He declined to name suspects or motives, stressing that premature speculation might hinder evidence gathering.
Uniformed personnel have been deployed to affected neighbourhoods, officials said, while joint patrols seek to deter further flare-ups and reassure residents who resumed daytime activities with caution.
Civil Society Calls for Protection
Western Equatoria civil society chair Wanga Emmanuel condemned the overnight violence and urged that “forces in uniform vacate civilian zones and hand routine safety to the police.” He appealed to families to remain indoors whenever gunfire erupts until calm is confirmed.
Residents also reported looting of small shops and unverified injuries, but these claims have not yet been corroborated by hospital staff or official communiques.
Broader Security Context
The shootings unfolded against tensions simmering since February, when President Salva Kiir dismissed SPLM-IO-appointed Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba. Political analysts note that leadership changes can shift command chains, occasionally creating security vacuums in Western Equatoria.
National authorities have reiterated commitments to the roadmap toward 2024 elections, framing stability in Yambio as essential for credible polling across South Sudan. Local observers hope the latest inquiry will signal renewed accountability rather than further distrust.
What Comes Next
Investigators are expected to publish preliminary findings once ballistic tests and witness statements converge. For now, calmer nights will be the community’s first measure of success, even as families mourn unnamed victims and await closure.
Authorities continue to encourage residents to report suspicious movements, assuring them that information will remain confidential and contribute to a safer Yambio.