At least two individuals lost their lives, and over 10 people sustained injuries during clashes involving sticks in Tonj East County, South Sudan’s Warrap State. These confrontations involved four clans and resulted in a series of violent incidents over the weekend. Notably, no firearms or spears were used in these clashes.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, County Commissioner William Arop confirmed the cessation of the fighting and the arrest of eight suspects, with further arrests expected. He stated, “The security is now calm because I went myself to where they fought, and eight culprits are now in police custody.”
“The clashes involving sticks took place on 9 and 10 October in Makuac Payam. Panayii clan fought with Pagor clan, resulting in the death of one person from the Panayii clan and one person being wounded. Meanwhile, the Pagor clan had two wounded. No arrests were made from both sides following the clashes,” he said.
He added, “And on 12 to 14 October, the Pakik clan fought with the Pabai clan, again resulting in the death of one person from the Pabai clan and four individuals sustaining serious injuries from stick beatings. Four members from the Pakik clan were also wounded.”
Arop described the security environment as calm following the arrests of suspects from both clans in the affected payams. He said, “The security is now calm because I went myself to where they fought, and eight culprits are now in police custody; four from the Pakik clan have been arrested and are detained at Romic police station, while four suspects from the Pabai clan are still in Aweng prison. I am now going to bring them to the county headquarters in Romic.”
The clashes were reportedly sparked by a revenge fight that occurred last year, resulting in one person sustaining a fractured arm. Some individuals with minor injuries sought refuge in the bushes to evade government intervention.
Moses Madot, a member of parliament representing Tonj East County, confirmed the clashes, stating, “This incident has happened over the weekend. Clans of Pagor, the same Luachjang section, fought with the CierToch section, but this time they used sticks, not guns, and it was resolved. Some culprits are on the run now because the government intervened and arrested some suspects who have been detained at the police station in Romic, the county headquarters of Tonj East.”