At least one person was killed and two others injured in fresh clashes between Bunno and Nyangiya clans of the Toposa community in Kapoeta East County of Eastern Equatoria State.
The two sides have constantly stormed kraals in counterattacks, using guns, bows and spears.
Three children reportedly went missing during an attack at Kochokio Kraal.
On 12th February, several people were displaced from Bunno village; 10 sustained injuries in Lopua following unending bitter tensions and fights between the two Toposa communities over a water point for their cattle.
Takan Lolib Carl Peter, Eastern Equatoria State Member of Parliament, told Radio Tamazuj that fresh clashes erupted between both sides on Thursday and Friday evening.
He said during the latest incident, out of the three injured people, one succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while one victim was admitted to the Kapoeta Civil Hospital.
“Their fight started on Thursday, they continued up to late evening, and they resumed the fight on Friday morning. Some casualties were brought to the hospital; two were referred to Kapoeta Civil Hospital, while one was left unattended. We have been informed that one of the two victims passed away while the other one is fighting for his life,” he explained.
Dr. Isaac John, Medical Director at the Kapoeta Civil Hospital, confirmed that the casualties sustained gunshot wounds and the other one died minutes upon arrival at the hospital.”
“We have been managing their conditions, but the other one passed away a few minutes after their arrival. The other one is now at the hospital undergoing treatment,” he said.
Charles Onen Lokwaru, Chairperson for Eastern Equatoria State Civil Society Network, called on community leaders to embrace dialogue in settling disputes.
He cautioned communities against taking the law into their own hands, warning that it risks lives and creates instability amongst communities.
“We are saddened by the recent inter-communal clashes between the Buno and the Nyangiya, who are residents of Kapoeta East, and these are neighbours. These recent clashes claimed some lives, and many people have been injured. So, we call upon our community leaders to refrain from taking the law into their own hands; they should choose communal dialogue. We request our community leaders and youth to play a neutral role to calm the situation,” he said.