Authorities in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state have condemned a recent attack on traders from the state operating in Bor, Jonglei state, and called for calm as investigations continue.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Aweil, Acting Information Minister Dominic Kang Deng said armed youth attacked several traders in Bor’s Panliet suburb, robbing them and inflicting serious machete wounds.
“The state government is in consultation with the Jonglei state government on the urgency and importance of bringing those responsible for the crime to justice,” Kang said. He urged the public to remain calm as authorities handle the case.
Victims reportedly lost 37 million South Sudanese pounds ($29,000) and $7,000 in cash. They are receiving medical treatment in Juba.
In response, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Youth Union, led by Chairperson George Atem Garang, filed a lawsuit against the Jonglei state government, accusing it of failing to arrest the attackers.
Garang told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the suit aims to draw attention to repeated violence against Northern Bahr el Ghazal traders and youth in Jonglei.
He cited a previous incident in which traders from the state were allegedly beaten and stripped during the launch of a so-called “gang crackdown” in Jonglei. He said that case was never resolved.
“As a youth body, we want both governments – of Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal – to address this crisis and find lasting solutions,” Garang said.
Ngor Deng Matem, a youth activist involved in the case, said Bor Mayor Jacob Achiek confirmed that suspects had been identified by local authorities but had not been arrested.
“For him, as a government official, to confirm that the attackers are known but not detained – that beats my understanding,” Matem said. “That’s why I decided to take legal action on behalf of the victims.”
Matem said the legal case would continue even if the suspects were later arrested, arguing that justice must be pursued fully. He added that a team of lawyers is representing the youth.
Repeated attempts to reach Mayor Achiek for comment were unsuccessful.
However, Achiek told Radio Tamazuj last week that the attack was carried out by a small group that did not represent the wider Bor community. He called for calm and said law enforcement was working to apprehend those responsible.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CEPO), criticised the lawsuit and urged dialogue instead.
“Suing the government is not the best option,” Gatwech said. “They should engage authorities through peaceful dialogue to find an amicable solution.”