Local authorities in Aweil West County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State said the headquarters of Malek Mayar Payam was burnt to ashes following violent disputes among the locals over the geographical location of the administrative unit.
The area is situated between Aweil West and Aweil North Counties and it usually witnesses administrative loopholes because it has been run by parallel local government systems from the neighboring counties over the years.
The authorities from both counties have not yet released clear reports on injuries, destroyed property, and updates about the current situation.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the Aweil West County Commissioner Abuol Akok Akok confirmed that the Malek Mayar administrative unit headquarters was destroyed and burnt after the locals fought over the ownership of the area.
“The Malek Mayar Payam office was burnt to ashes after border tensions broke out on Friday among residents who divided themselves between Aweil West and Aweil North counties. This happened against President Salva Kiir’s and Governor Simon Uber’s statements to keep internal borders peaceful,” said Akok. “We used to advise them (local inhabitants) to cease all border-related problems, but they do not heed our calls. These people have been living together for a long time. We did not arrest any suspects involved in the fight because we fear that the conflict will escalate if we send security forces to contain the unrest.”
“Also, we will be held responsible if we intervene immediately,” the commissioner added.
Aweil North County Commissioner Deng Kuel Kuel distanced himself from the ongoing dispute and said the demarcation of boundaries is the responsibility of the National Legislature’s Upper House, the Council of States.
“The issue of Malek Mayar is connected with boundary demarcation which is the sole responsibility of the Council of States in the Republic of South Sudan and there is no county commissioner who has the authority over it,” he stated. “So, I do not want to say something about it.”
For his part, Wek Garang, the Executive Director of Peace Culture Society (PCS), a local peace group, condemned the incident and invited the feuding sections to find amicable solutions.
“We condemn the incident because it is inhumane,” he said. “If there is a problem, I recommend that people come together to solve it peacefully to avoid human casualties and material loss.”