Bol Deng Bol, a civil society activist, has expressed deep concern about the failure to apprehend the individuals responsible for the deadly violence that occurred at a fishing site in Jonglei State last month.
In mid-October, a tragic incident unfolded, resulting in the death of three individuals and injuries to five others. The clashes involved members of the Twic East and Duk counties at the Bioth-Agany fishing site and were initiated by a misunderstanding at the location.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, activist Bol highlighted the dissatisfaction within the community, as no arrests have been made in connection with the killings. He clarified that the individuals detained in Bor town’s police cells were arrested based on their community leadership roles and were not involved in the violent clashes.
On October 23, the police and Duk authorities announced the arrest of a chief and two youths on suspicion of involvement in the violent incident. They stated that these individuals would be brought to court following an investigation and once the remaining suspects, who are still at large, are apprehended and investigated.
Bol expressed his concerns, stating, “Not enough effort is being made. As of now, the only actions taken are the arrests of individuals who voluntarily surrendered when approached by the police on the ground. It appears that these detainees are merely community leaders from the Hol sections of Duk and were not responsible for the shootings that occurred. In my view, this raises doubts about the investigative process and suggests a potential cover-up to shield the actual perpetrators, as the approach seems to be more about negotiation than seeking justice.”
The civil society activist called upon the government to ensure that those responsible for the violence face accountability. Both communities affected by this tragic event are eagerly awaiting justice, and Bol warned that any delay in delivering justice could escalate the situation further.
Major General Elia Costa Faustino, the State Police Commissioner, assured the public that they are dedicated to apprehending all the suspects to ensure justice is served. He called for calm, emphasizing that security forces and traditional chiefs are diligently searching for the remaining suspects who are still at large.
Duk County Commissioner Peter Latjor Chuol echoed the call for calm and emphasized, “We are actively working to resolve this issue. Three individuals were promptly arrested following the incident, and at this moment, additional security forces, along with five traditional chiefs, are on the ground, actively pursuing the individuals still at large. Our goal is to restore peace between our communities.”