In a tragic incident in Locharok village, Imehejek Administrative Area of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State, two farmers were killed, and one was injured during an ambush by unidentified armed men.

The victims were returning from their farm when the attack occurred earlier this week.

Local authorities have linked this violent episode to a series of revenge killings that have simmered since late April, when peace delegates were killed in a brutal attack. Gen. James Monday Enoka, the Eastern Equatoria State Police Commissioner, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations were underway on the ground.

The cycle of violence began on April 29, 2023, when armed men obstructed the path of two humanitarian vehicles belonging to the Norwegian People’s Aid (NCA). These vehicles were transporting participants of a peace dialogue in Lafon County. Tragically, the incident claimed four lives, with four more bodies discovered later in the nearby bush.

This latest attack seems to be a response to the unresolved grievances stemming from the April incident. Martin Ojok, the Executive Director of the Imehejek Administrative Area, shed light on the situation: “The assailants claimed that the people they shot and killed were the same people involved in the ambush in Lohitojo in which six people from Locharok were killed. We had a peace dialogue between Locharok and Lohitojo, but when the delegates were being taken back to the headquarters, unfortunately, the people from Locharok ambushed them and killed some people. This is the result of that incident. They are the ones who have spoiled the peace that was signed. We now need to reconcile these people using force.”

The Eastern Equatoria State Police Commissioner, Gen. James Monday Enoka, emphasized that addressing the issue of revenge killings requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including the community itself: “The investigation is ongoing. This question of containing revenge killing needs the efforts of both local and political leaders. Sometimes, the police role is both reactive and proactive, so when they are solving problems, the police also take part, but when there is a conflict already, the police respond with all their means to address that issue. Revenge killing is not something new in the country or state, which the police can address alone. It involves a lot of stakeholders to tackle and is above the power of the police.”

Oryema Emmanuel, a civil society activist working for Eastern Vision for Rehabilitation Agency (EVRA), expressed his dismay over the lack of follow-up on various community dialogue agreements. He highlighted the need for continuous monitoring to ensure that peace agreements are upheld.

“What I can recommend as a civil society activist is; one, we need to expedite Chapter Five of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS), especially that part of Transitional Justice. It is very important, and people are neglecting it. Some revenge killings occur due to long periods of conflict, and Chapter Five of R-ARCISS can help people to reconcile and heal,” added Oryema.

Oryema also called upon the government to provide essential services to the local population, addressing the root causes of conflicts and criminal activities. He stressed the importance of sustainable development to help communities move away from violence and towards lasting peace.