An altercation between two youths escalated into violent skirmishes between young people from Makuach Payam, Bor County, in Jonglei State, and left dozens, mostly women and children, injured, according to local authorities.

Maj. Gen.Moses Machok Makuac, the Jonglei State Acting Commissioner of Police, told Radio Tamazuj Friday that the incident occurred when tensions escalated between two young men hailing from the Hol and Waai sections of Konbeek Boma in Makuach Payam on Wednesday and continued on Friday.

“The violence escalated as a result of a youth-on-youth fight that began when two young men got into an argument and started fighting,” he said.

According to the police chief, the exact cause of the conflict remains unclear but it rapidly resulted in injuries as members of both sections rallied behind their respective youth. The clashes involved the use of sticks as weapons, leading to physical harm.

For his part, Dr. Bol Chau Mannyang, the director of Bor Hospital, confirmed that his facility has received a significant influx of injury cases over the past two days.

“We have received six injuries today (Friday),” he stated. “Yesterday (Thursday), there were approximately 40 injuries. However, some of today’s injuries are gunshot wounds.”

Gen. Makuac said the police swiftly dispatched forces to maintain law and order after the fighting and continue to arrest the suspects.

“We have arrested some people. Up to now, we have arrested about five individuals, some of whom are patients. When they recover, they will be taken into custody,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ngong Bheer, the chairman of the Bor Community Youth Association (BCYA), said that community leaders are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of Bor’s residents.

“What happened is very unfortunate. It is not in our culture as the people of Bor to fight among ourselves and target vulnerable groups like women and children,” he said. “Even when fighting an enemy, Bor people always respect women and children.”

Bheer urged the youth of Makuach Payam to dialogue and seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts.