Communal violence in Warrap state killed 14 people and wounded 15 others over several days, authorities said Sunday, as officials warned of further retaliation between rival groups.
The fighting between the Nyarmuong and Jur-Man-Anger communities in Awutwuot village of Gogrial East County began Monday and escalated over the weekend, state officials said. Revenge killings and armed youth confrontations have fueled the violence.
Warrap State Minister of Information Mamer Bath told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the clashes occurred despite government attempts to de-escalate the situation.
“The incident happened in Gogrial East county of Warrap state,” Bath said. “It is confirmed that 14 people were killed and 15 others were wounded, some with serious wounds, and were taken to Kuajok and Wau hospitals.”
He cautioned that the casualty figures were not final because fighting was ongoing and youths were regrouping in bush areas.
Bath said the initial trigger was unclear but appeared to be caused by armed criminals, leading to a continuing “cycle of violence” of revenge attacks.
Gogrial East County Commissioner Duchak Bol said the violence began when gunmen killed a person from Nyarmuong payam. He identified one of the alleged attackers as Akol Mariak, who he said took a gun in Ameth-Aker village and joined an armed group with members from several counties in Warrap and Unity states.
In retaliation, Nyarmuong youths killed the brother of a local chief and two children in Maker village, Bol said. Further attacks followed, including the killing of a person burying a relative.
Bol said he called on Division 11 infantry forces to intervene in hotspot areas to protect civilians.
Brig. Gen. Mabek Monytoc, Gogrial East police director, said security operations have been hampered by thick bushes, tall grasses and seasonal flooding.
“It is hard now to intervene since the places are covered with water and bushes,” Monytoc said. He confirmed at least 14 deaths but said the number could be higher because wounded might remain in unreachable areas.
South Sudan has experienced recurrent communal violence often driven by cattle raiding, revenge killings and local power struggles, frequently involving armed youth.