NAS refutes false claims by SSPDF regarding Juba-Nimule road ambush
In the early hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024, a tragic ambush occurred on the Juba-Nimule Highway at Kube in Lokiliri Payam, targeting a Bebeto Coaches bus. The attack, which claimed the life of one civilian, was swiftly blamed on the National Salvation Front (NAS) by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai. The NAS leadership, however, firmly denies any involvement in the ambush, describing the claims as baseless propaganda.
In an official press statement released today, NAS condemned the false accusations, asserting that Maj. Gen. Lul Ruaiβs statement is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to cover up the governmentβs growing security failures.
20240925 NAS Press Release On the Juba-Nimule Road Ambush
“The SSPDFβs inability to provide security across South Sudan is directly linked to the fact that soldiers have not been paid for over 21 months,” Suba Samuel, NAS Spokesman stated, highlighting the dire state of security outside the confines of J1, the official residence of President Salva Kiir.
We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence targeting innocent civilians
NAS also extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and expressed sympathy for those affected by the attack. “We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence targeting innocent civilians,” the statement read.
In a broader context, NAS described the SSPDFβs accusation as a deliberate attempt by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) to distract from a growing legitimacy crisis. “The regime is now illegitimate and unconstitutional,” Suba Samuel pointed out, accusing the government of orchestrating the ambush as part of a pattern of staged attacks to deflect attention from their failures. The statement also referred to previous incidents, such as the killing of two Catholic nuns on the same highway, which NAS said were orchestrated by government operatives.
Recent reports highlight a disturbing breakdown of discipline and law and order among the regime’s militia forces. Accusations by Malong indicate that the spy chief has deployed operatives along the Juba-Nimule highway to target civilian buses, raising serious safety concerns. Furthermore, a brazen robbery at Minister Onyoti’s home in Juba underscores the growing lawlessness, suggesting that even government officials are not safe from armed groups affiliated with the regime. These incidents reflect a broader crisis of security, undermining the regime’s credibility and raising questions about its ability to protect its citizens.
“NAS remains steadfast in its revolutionary ideals and adheres strictly to the rule of engagement as outlined in the NAS Army Basic Code of Conduct, the international humanitarian law, and the laws of armed conflict,” the group declared. Despite the government’s continuous false allegations, NAS reiterated its commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful dialogue and negotiation. However, the group reserved its right to self-defense against any aggression.
As tensions continue to rise in South Sudan, the leadership of NAS calls on both regional and international communities to remain vigilant and not to be swayed by the government’s desperate attempts to solicit sympathy through fabricated threats.
For now, NAS remains committed to the struggle for the liberation of South Sudan, while condemning the violence and calling for a genuine resolution to the nation’s ongoing conflict.