Two chiefs from both clans of Rek and Luac were arrested in connection with clashes earlier this month, according to the MP representing Tonj East County in the Warrap State Assembly.

Rek and Luac clans clashed over the disputed area known as Lol-lith on who should own the area, leaving over 90 dead and wounding more than 100 people. Last week, Warrap State Information Minister Ariec Mayar confirmed to Radio Tamazuj at least 92 people died and 144 were wounded.

Angelo Deng Magol, MP representing Tonj East told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the government has arrested two chiefs who first disagreed with the commissioner before the fighting erupted between Rek and Luany-jang clans.

“There are no suspects arrested until now apart from the two chiefs of the two clans who disagreed with the new commissioner over the issue of the land but after the investigations then there may be some that will get arrested,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj last week, members of the Tonj East community in the diaspora accused the newly appointed Commissioner of Tonj East of having failed to control the conflict and they asked the state government to remove him.

However, MP Angelo denied that the commissioner contributed to the fighting saying, “No, no the commissioner has no hand in the conflict... it will not happened for him as the commissioner of the area to also became part of the problem, never.”

He said on Monday also members of both communities ate and drank together as a sign to stop fighting and reconcile.

MP Angelo Deng explained that the wounded were already taken for treatment and those that lost lives will be compensated based on Wanh-Alel customary law whereby the relatives of each will be paid 31 cows.

He asked the two clans of Rek and Luac to forgive each other and begin a new chapter as brothers and as in-laws of the same area.