At least three women from Unity State were killed in an attack Sunday in Rumbek North County of neighboring Lakes State, a local official said.
The women were traveling by boat from the capital, Juba, to Mayendit County in Unity State when they were attacked, according to Mayendit County Commissioner John Matip Gatluok.
He identified the victims as Nyamal Riang Chan, Nyabouk Manyang and Nyakuong.
Gatluok blamed the attack on armed youths from Rumbek North County and accused local authorities there of failing to make arrests. He said the killings were part of ongoing retaliatory violence between neighboring communities.
“I condemn the incident that took the lives of innocent civilians,” Gatluok told Radio Tamazuj.
Rumbek North County Commissioner Mose Makur declined to comment when reached by Radio Tamazuj, referring questions to the Lakes State minister of information.
The attack follows several incidents of violence last week between communities in Tonj South County of Warrap State and Mayendit County in Unity State.