S Sudanese musician killed in ambush

Real name Mabor Abud Mathiang, Emma 47 was travelling with others in the car but it’s not clear who they were. According to local media, other passengers traveling with him were injured and taken to a local hospital. The incident took place south of Loa, in an area that is controlled and patrolled by the government army.

Pageri County commissioner Emilio Igga confirmed the musician’s death on local radio. “What happened was that there was a [Toyota] Noah car that left Nimule to Juba and fell into an ambush between Kashwa and Lawa,” he said. “One person died instantly and four people sustained injuries. The incident happened this morning [Monday] about 8am. Three of them are already taken to Juba and one is still in Nimule Hospital.”

National police spokesperson Brig-Gen Daniel Justin confirmed the ambush and urged the public not to travel without a security escort.

Emma 47 was the founder Zol Batal Entertainment, a Juba-based record label. In 2014, he won an award for Most Promising Artist of the Year at the Radio Music Awards. He leaves behind an infant daughter.

Civilians travelling on the Nimule-Juba road have repeatedly blamed government soldiers of armed robbery and the killing of innocent people. Opposition groups in the area have blamed government soldiers for using civilian vehicles as cover to transport arms.