At least seven people were killed and 15 others wounded in clashes between the Manuer and Gak sections of the Pakam community in Rumbek North County, Lakes State, authorities said Tuesday.
The fighting erupted in Maper, the county headquarters, following the killing of a young motorcycle taxi rider on Monday, officials said, describing the violence as part of a cycle of revenge attacks.
William Koji Kirjok, the acting minister of information and communication in Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj that armed youths from the two sections clashed after the shooting.
“One youth shot another dead on the spot, and the incident escalated into fighting between armed youths from the Gak and Manuer sections,” Kirjok said. “As a result, seven people were killed and 15 others injured.”
He said local authorities and security forces intervened to separate the groups and restore calm.
“The situation is now under control with the help of state leadership, the county commissioner and other stakeholders who are engaging community leaders from both sides,” he said.
Kirjok said revenge killings have been a recurring problem in Rumbek North despite ongoing dialogue and security efforts, adding that suspects linked to the violence remain at large.
He also raised concerns about movements of armed youths along the border between Rumbek North and Panyijiar County in neighboring Unity State, though he said no fresh incidents had been reported since Monday.
At Rumbek State Hospital, medical director Dr. Terran Madit Terran said the facility received casualties from the clashes early Tuesday.
“We received 10 patients with gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and limbs,” he said. “Three of them were severely injured and have already undergone surgery.”
Terran said some patients with fractures may be referred to other facilities for further treatment once stabilized.
Civil society groups condemned the violence and urged reconciliation.
Daniel Laat Kon, the Lakes State coordinator for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), described the fighting as “senseless” and called on leaders to intervene.
“Youths should not continue killing themselves when the country is preparing for elections and peace,” he said. “This started as a revenge killing after a boda boda rider was shot.”
Kon urged the state government to arrest those responsible and bring them to justice, saying accountability was essential to restoring stability.
“Losing lives and sustaining gunshot injuries is a serious tragedy,” he said. “We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and wish the wounded a quick recovery.”