Mass prayers were held over the weekend in Turalei in Warrap State’s Twic County and Abyei town in an effort to prevent a renewed conflict between the Ngok Dinka and Twic communities.
The prayers were held on Saturday in Turalei and on Sunday in Abyei amid rising tensions between the two communities, which have a long history of disputes over land and territory.
Abionweng Majith Diing, minister of peacebuilding and reconciliation in the Abyei Special Administrative Area, told Radio Tamazuj that the South Sudan Council of Churches and other faith groups are concerned that the tensions could escalate into violence.
“Church-based organisations together with the South Sudan Council of Churches have been monitoring the ongoing social media tensions between Ngok and Twic and they are worried about a possible re-escalation of violence,” she said.
She said the concern followed a press conference by some officials from Twic in Juba, during which they called for Ngok Dinka people living south of the Kiir River to withdraw and issued a seven-day ultimatum, after which they said offensive operations would begin.
Diing welcomed the prayers and other peace initiatives aimed at preserving peaceful relations between the two communities.
“Religious leaders informed me as minister of peacebuilding that they were starting mass prayers in Turalei in Twic County on Saturday and would conclude the peace mission in Abyei on Sunday,” she said.
“We do not have any problem with any peace initiative, and we support any effort that unites us with our Twic counterparts.”
William Wol Mayom, minister of information and communication in Warrap State, said the people responsible for the recent tensions are not currently in the state and should be held accountable.
“The individuals who are talking on social media and other media platforms are conducting their activities outside the jurisdiction of Warrap State,” Mayom said.
“If some of these people are at the national level, then their issues should be addressed by the national government.”
Mayom said there had been no hostile statements from the Warrap State government against the Ngok Dinka and called for the communities to maintain peaceful relations.
“I totally agree with those who say peaceful coexistence is the top priority between the Ngok Dinka and Twic,” he said. “There has been peaceful coexistence for the last one year, and this harmony must continue.”
Tensions between the Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka have risen in the disputed Abyei area, prompting calls for restraint.
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has called on the communities to exercise restraint following reports that armed youth are being mobilised by both sides in southern Abyei.
UNISFA has said the security situation remains fragile despite relative calm following a peace conference between the two communities in April 2025.
Disputes over land and territorial boundaries have long been a source of tension between the Twic and Ngok Dinka communities.
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