Arop Jonchol
Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The spokesperson for South Sudan’s army, Major General Lul Ruai, revealed in a press statement that several boats—including one belonging to the United Nations and another owned by a Sudanese businessman—were hijacked by fighters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the White Army in Fangak and Leer counties, located in Jonglei and Unity states, respectively.
According to General Ruai, credible intelligence reports and multiple public complaints confirmed the hijacking of at least eight boats carrying passengers and assorted commercial goods while docked at the Adok River Port. The hijackers reportedly forced passengers off the vessels and told them to find alternative means of transport—an act the army labeled a blatant violation of their rights.
The statement added that the assailants looted the boats’ cargo and took passengers and crew members hostage, demanding ransoms ranging from 10 million South Sudanese pounds to 50,000 US dollars. General Ruai described the incident as “a form of extortion” that poses a serious threat to river transport security.
The military categorized the actions as piracy, noting that the attacks have severely disrupted river navigation in the region. General Ruai further stated that Chief of General Staff, General Paul Nguong, has issued a directive for the unconditional release of all hijacked boats, warning that failure to comply will result in “strict punitive measures.”
