4 Killed and 5 Others Including South Sudan Minister Wounded in Ambush

Libyan leader and African Union Chairman, Muammar Gaddafi, hosts President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan. There are reports that US jets bombed areas in Sudan during January and February of 2009. Sudan has defied the ICC warrant issued against al-Bashir.
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4 killed and 5 others including South Sudan minister wounded in ambush

Tuesday 17 November 2009.
By James Gatdet Dak
Sudan Tribune

November 16, 2009 (JUBA) – A minister in the Government of Southern Sudan narrowly escaped with gunshot wound on Sunday as his convoy was ambushed by unknown gunmen.

Four were killed and five others wounded, two in critical condition, as the vehicle carrying minister Dr. Samson Kwaje of Agriculture and Forestry was riddled with more than twenty bullets by assailants.

The attack took place as the minister was returning on road from Wonduruba to Lanya County in Central Equatoria state.

Among the dead included the minister’s driver and bodyguard.

Dr. Kwaje who was shot on his right arm said the attackers opened fire on his vehicle from both sides of the road.

The minister and other survivors were scattered into the forest and hunted down by the attackers.

He was rescued after a force of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was sent from Lanya to the scene.

An helicopter was sent in by the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) which flew the minister to Juba.

More than twenty suspects are reported to have been arrested in the area for investigations.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Gier Chuang Aluong condemned the attack.

He said such a violent act was not the right way to address any issues that might have arisen and led to the criminal act.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Government of Southern Sudan had declared seven days public holiday from November 11th to 17th for constitutional post holders to enable them travel to their respective areas and enlighten the potential voters to register.

Dr. Kwaje was on the enlightenment tour of his home areas where he mobilized the citizens to turnout for the voter registration.

He is also member of the SPLM Political Bureau, the highest leadership structure of the party.