A tragic incident unfolded in Ongelet village, Bur Payam, Torit County, South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State, as 48-year-old Francis Amarwahii lost his life in a revenge attack on Wednesday.

The attack was allegedly carried out by the two sons of a man known only as Asai, who accused Amarwahii of killing their father during the war with northern Sudanese Arabs in 2001.

Local authorities report that the suspected attackers are still at large, hiding in the nearby bushes, while local youth are actively searching for them.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Atari Inyasio, Boma Chief of Oronyo, provided details about the incident and the motivations behind it, stating, “This incident happened in Longelez yesterday at around 3:00 PM. The assailants are envious people. They claim they killed Francis Amarwahii because he was responsible for the death of their father during Arab rule.”

Jacob Atari Albano, Commissioner of Torit County, confirmed the incident and mentioned that police forces have been deployed to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators.

He explained the circumstances surrounding the attack, saying, “The youth in the area were repairing doors for the Church, and after finishing working on the doors, there were two suspects who went and ambushed the late Amarwahii. They beat Amarwahii and when the youth tried to intervene, they threatened the youth with guns.”

Eunice Nakiru, an Eastern Equatoria State Civil Society activist, condemned the act and called for the government to bring the perpetrators to justice. She emphasized the importance of using legal procedures to address grievances and discourage revenge killings, stating, “This kind of violence is detrimental to South Sudan. It doesn’t lead to solutions. When such grievances arise, the aggrieved parties should file legal complaints against those they accuse of past crimes. This ongoing cycle of violence dates back to the Sudanese-Arab regime, and now it has resulted in this man’s death. Engaging in revenge doesn’t serve any purpose.”

“The legal system is there to address these issues, and those responsible will face arrest and imprisonment. Engaging in revenge is counterproductive and harmful. We must bring such cases to the courts, and justice will prevail. Our population is dwindling due to revenge killings. I strongly condemn such actions,” Nakiru stated.