Akobo County Commissioner James Kueth Makuach assassinated in Jonglei
On July 6, 2026, opposition fighters assassinated the government-appointed County Commissioner of Akobo, James Kueth Makuach, in a targeted assault on Walgak. Makuach had recently defected to the ruling party, inflaming local political tensions. Opposition forces briefly occupied the area before retreating following the arrival of government reinforcements. Civil society leaders in Juba warned that this high-profile killing represents a clear threat to the ceasefire ahead of the planned December 2026 national elections.