Intercommunal fighting between the Boor and Ajiek sections of Rup Community in Lakes State’s Rumbek Central County on Wednesday left six people killed and ten others wounded in Apet village of Malek Payam.
William Koji Kirjok, the state’s acting information minister, said the fighting was sparked by cyclic revenge killings.
“The Boor and Ajiek sections have issues that the government has been involved in resolving for a long time to bring the two communities together. For the last two years, they have not respected the dialogue,” he explained. “Even 14 days ago, they were separated, and the Boor Section went to Rumbek East County with their cattle, as one of the resolutions to bring peace.”
“However, last (Wednesday) night, they mobilized themselves and fought here in Apet Village of Malek Payam in Rumbek Central County,” Minister Koji added.
He said the clashes resulted in six deaths and 10 people injured, but that the figures might be higher and that security forces are still searching for those who fled to the bushes.
“Some of the injured were brought to the hospital in Rumbek, and the government is working with local authorities to contain the situation,” he said. “For now, the two sides have been separated, and calm has returned to the village. Investigations are ongoing to find out who first attacked Apet Village.”
Koji appealed to the people to respect the sanctity of life and work for peace across Lakes State.
“The new governor is still in Juba carrying out administrative meetings, and his absence should not be used as a chance for people to fight,” he said. “Perpetrators will still be held accountable because the law we have works.”
For her part, Angelina Adhel Malual, the chairperson of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Lakes State, said the incident is indicative of the resumption of revenge killings and communal conflicts in the state.
“I strongly condemn the fighting. The communities need to go back to their own roots and coexist peacefully. The authorities should also work with community leaders to ensure that there is peace before the governor arrives,” she said. “The security apparatus should also carry out its role, because the absence of the governor does not mean there is no rule of law in Lakes State.”
According to Adhel, several violent incidents have been recorded in Rumbek East, Rumbek North, and Rumbek Central counties in the last few days.
“This escalating violence tells us that the youth who look after cattle (Gelweng) want to go back to their previous ways of conflict, and we are not happy about it,” she stated. “We urge the national government to support the new governor with adequate security forces to check violent conflict in the state. Other entities like NGOs should also support dialogue and reconciliation efforts among the communities.”