Police and local authorities in Aweil Center County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have detained two people for investigations following deadly communal violence on Sunday.
According to the authorities, a man found his wife committing adultery with another man and smacked him on the head, causing the clashes between some members of the Barmayen Community in Aweil Center County and the Louchok Community of Jur River County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the Aweil Center County Commissioner, Peter Natale, said one person was shot dead by a soldier identified as Upeiu Deng, while trying to calm the situation.
He said the soldier shot to disperse the fighting crowd after he got injured.
“The deceased farmer is identified as Aleu Ayei Aleu, about 35 years old. He was killed during the communal clashes from both sides. The killer and the killed didn’t have any part in the main problem only the person whose wife has committed adultery hit someone until communal violence erupted between the Louchok and Barmayen Communities,” said Natale.
Ayat Mawut Unguech, a peace activist there, condemned the incident and urged the locals to refrain from revenge and allow the government to handle the case.
Aweil Center Police Inspector, Brigadier General George Awath, confirmed the arrests.
“We have arrested two people including the suspected shooter and we transferred them to Aweil Town Police. The situation is calm now because I have talked to them and they said all surrounding areas and Bomas are safe,” said Awath.