At least 20 people were killed and 38 others wounded on Saturday during intense inter-communal fighting in Tonj North County of Warrap State, state officials said.
The violence in President Sava Kiir’s home state erupted between two of the Lou community in Alebek Payam, allegedly triggered by incitement by criminal elements.
State Information Minister William Wol Mayom told Radio Tamazuj Sunday that the incident is linked to previous inter-communal violence in the region.
“At 11 o’clock, on the 12th of this month, fighting again erupted between Pan Ariik of Alebek Payam in Tonj North County,” Mayom said.
“That fight cost the lives of 20 people and left over 38 others wounded on both sides.”
The state government was struggling to contain the situation due to severe flooding that has rendered roads impassable. Security forces have established roadblocks to prevent the supply of ammunition to the conflict zone.
“We deployed the forces on the roads to block the supply of ammunition to the site, and yesterday the county acting commissioner apprehended three suspects attempting to smuggle ammunition into the area,” Mayom added.
The Minister called for calm as the government works to address the situation. The number of casualties is expected to rise as authorities await the final battlefield report from county officials.
Reacting to the deadly clashes, Edmund Yakani, a civil society activist, condemned the incident and urged the political leaders to prevent the escalation of the violence in Tonj North County.
“This deadly violence is a violation of human rights. This deadly violence is taking place in the face of floods where women and children and persons with disabilities are more vulnerable,” he said.
Yakani, who is also the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), called on President Salva Kiir to offer a sustainable solution to resolve the deadly violence cycle in Warrap State.
On Friday, President Kiir directed the newly appointed Governor of Warrap State, Francis Marial Abur, to swiftly address the violence plaguing the region.
The South Sudanese leader made a poignant plea to the new governor, urging him to harness his political authority and elder status to foster a climate of peace and unity in the state.
While fighting has largely subsided after the signing of a 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, inter-communal violence – allegedly stirred by political elites – has seen a worrying rise in parts of the country.