Renewed fighting in Twic East County, Jonglei State, on Tuesday left one person dead and another wounded, local officials said, marking the latest flare-up in long-running intercommunal violence.
The attack occurred July 29 in Akuoc Island, part of Lith Payam in Adhiok, according to Twic East County Commissioner Juac Arok. He accused armed individuals from neighboring Duk County of carrying out the assault near Buothagany.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Commissioner Juac said civilians were displaced, and belongings, including boats, dry fish and mosquito nets, were looted.
For his part, Duk County Commissioner John Chatim confirmed the incident but said he lacked details on casualties. He also reported a separate attack Wednesday in which one person was killed by suspected armed assailants from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Both officials acknowledged their inability to contain the conflict and called for urgent intervention from state and national authorities.
Jonglei State Law Enforcement Minister Simon Hoth has cited logistical challenges in deploying joint security forces to the area, which has seen repeated clashes.
The violence is believed to stem from retaliatory attacks over unresolved grievances, including the October 2023 killing of prominent wrestler Deng Dau, also known as Deng-Moradong. He was allegedly killed by youth from Duk County, fueling ongoing tensions.
Critics accuse the state government of failing to hold perpetrators accountable, particularly after members of the Hol Community broke into Bor Central Prison in July 2024 and freed detainees linked to earlier clashes.
Bol Deng Bol, executive director of Intrepid South Sudan and chair of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, urged immediate government action to prevent further escalation.
“We want the national government to intervene so this does not spread beyond Buothagany and Akuoc Island,” Bol said. He called for security deployments and dialogue between warring groups, adding, “The government’s role is to facilitate that process.”