Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides) - A Comboni missionary of Congolese nationality was injured in a road ambush in Lakes State in South Sudan. The event took place on 11 September. According to Church sources contacted by Agenzia Fides in the African country, the missionary, Fr. Placide, was with other people travelling along the road that goes from Rumbek (Lakes State capital) to Mapuordit, where the Comboni Missionaries have a mission. At around 6 pm on September 11, near the villages of Makur Hagar and Agany, the vehicle was attacked with firearms by three armed men, one of whom was wearing a military uniform. The only one who was injured was the Congolese missionary. Fr. Placide was transported to Nairobi, Kenya, where he underwent surgery.
"This episode can be seen in the context of instability and violence that characterizes all of South Sudan", sources told Fides. "In the case of Lakes State, rather than the civil war between former Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir, which formally ended with the agreements signed in August (see Fides 31/08/2015), what provokes violence are the disputes between rival clans linked to cattle rustling. Last year and this year there have been several deaths in clashes among clans, which once took place with spears, now military weapons are used.
The Lakes State has been marginally affected by the civil war but has been left to the mercy of the clashes among clans. After the peace agreement, space is opened for civil society and for the authorities to find ways to resolve tribal disputes", concludes Fides source. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2015)
