August 20, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s holdout opposition group, the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has confirmed that it ambushed Vice-president James Wani Igga’s convoy and killed six of his bodyguards.
On Wednesday, a convoy of the vice-president was traveling from his home-village of Lobonok to the capital Juba when unidentified gunmen surprised them with an attack killing six of his bodyguards, wounding two others and kidnapping one.
The attackers were not immediately identified.
In a statement today, the holdout rebel group accused South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of aggression and declared responsibility for the attack which killed the vice-president’s guards.
“The Leadership of National Salvation Front (NAS) informs its members, supporters, the people of South Sudan and members of International Community about the latest development on the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) aggression on NAS positions,” the statement extended to Nyamilepedia said.
“Wednesday 19th August 2020, at Kuse Pager, Luwala Boma, Lo’bonok County a small mobile force of NAS ambushed a reconnaissance Toyota Land Crusher Pick-up belonging to the bodyguards of the Vice President James Wani Igga,” it added.
“Six (6) bodyguards of VP were killed in action and several others wounded; five (5) AK47 rifles and different quantities of ammunition captured in good condition; including the Pick-up vehicle which was later burnt down.
“The gallant NAS surgical force withdrew successfully to its base. NAS command in Lo’bonok has been monitoring the reconnaissance mission of this Toyota Pick-up for sometimes. The Pick-up is often used by SSPDF to collect intelligence information on NAS defensive positions in preparation for attacks and displacement of civilians in the villages.”
The rebel group further reiterated its “commitment to the Cessions of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) signed on 21st December 2017 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, and to the Rome Declaration signed on 20th January 2020 in Rome Italy. NAS however, reserves the right to self-defense.”
