A Tonj North County member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Mawut Dhor, has called on the national government to stop the ongoing inter-communal fighting in Warrap State.
Dhor emphasized the urgent need for the central government’s intervention, stating that the state government lacked the capacity to end the bloodshed.
State officials reported that at least 20 people were killed and 38 others were wounded on Saturday during intense clashes in Tonj North County.
“The solution is for the government to fly in forces to silence the guns—this is the thing required now. Also, the humanitarian intervention by the Red Cross should start in the area today or tomorrow to save the lives of the injured,” Dhor said.
Local officials cited severe flooding as a major obstacle, rendering roads impassable and hampering efforts to contain the situation. Security forces have established roadblocks to prevent the supply of ammunition to the conflict zone.
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Spokesperson, Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang, acknowledged the challenges, including the lack of landable airstrips, which complicated the military intervention.
“We have enough security forces on the ground, what is stopping them from intervening are the challenges I have just shared with you, but of course, they will try to talk with the youth while we are working out other solutions to gain access to the area,” Koang said.
The violence, which erupted between two factions of the Lou community in Alebek Payam, is allegedly fueled by incitement from criminal elements.
Last week, President Salva Kiir directed the newly appointed Governor of Warrap State, Francis Marial Abur, to swiftly address the violence. President Kiir urged the Governor to use his political authority and elder status to foster peace and unity in the state.
Despite the 2018 peace agreement between President Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, inter-communal violence, allegedly stirred by political elites, has been on the rise in parts of the country.