At least seven people were shot dead in a series of attacks between the Apuk Community of Warrap State’s Gogrial East County and the Marial Wau Community in Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s Jur River County on Monday morning, government officials said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday morning, William Wol Mayom, the Minister of Information and Communication in Warrap State, confirmed that unidentified gunmen from Jur River County launched the first attack and killed two civilians in the Wuntit area in Gogrial East County of Warrap State on Monday night.
The minister added that five more people were killed and fifty-six head of cattle were raided from the Marial Wau Community in Jur River County after suspected armed youth from Gogrial East County in Warrap State carried out a revenge attack early in the morning, the same day.
“On 14June, an attack happened at 12 A.M. and two innocent civilians were killed by unidentified gunmen in a place called Wuntim of Warrap State’s Gogrial East County,” he explained. “In retaliation, armed youth from Gogrial East County also attacked Jur River County’s Marial Wau Community, and five people were reported killed, and fifty-six head of cattle were raided by suspected armed criminals from Gogrial East County.”
When asked about the current situation along the border, Mayom assured the public that both state governments were still working collaboratively to improve security along their border.
“Jointly, the governments of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal states intervened and are now investigating the incident, and surely the perpetrators shall be brought to book,” Minister Wol said.
On his part, Jur River County Commissioner Santino Manut Akech said the matter has been addressed by the two state governments and that an amicable solution will be announced soon.
“The Government of Western Bahr El Ghazal State will take the responsibility to question the Government of Warrap State and find an amicable solution on the matter, and we said we do not want more revenge attacks,” he stated. “The order to cease hostilities was already made, and if anyone violates the order and kills someone from now onwards, that person will bear his/her own consequences as an individual, not on behalf of Western Bahr el Ghazal or Warrap States.”
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