Dozens are feared dead and others injured following the resumption of clashes on Friday between the rival communities of Jonglei State’s Duk and Twic East counties over the ownership of a fishing island.
The intermittent fighting adds to the already precarious situation in the disputed Bothagany Island, which has claimed several lives over the years, and comes amidst calls for government intervention by the civil society activists.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday morning, Duk County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei said the incident occurred when armed youth from Twic East County attacked Duk County youth in the contested fishing ground.
“The incident occurred at 4 a.m. Youth from the Hol community in Duk County were attacked by a group from Twic East County,” he explained. “Details on the casualties remain scant, but the attacking youth were repulsed. We condemn this latest attack.”
Asked why Hol youth remained in the contested area while past efforts to resolve the conflict recommended all parties vacate the area, Chatim admitted that it was resolved that the Lang and Bothgany areas be vacated because they are contested, and for the government to deploy a protection force.
“However, those security measures were not adequate because local communities remained there despite deployment,” he stated.
However, Twic East County Commissioner Juac Arok Juach said he was not aware of the fresh clashes.
“Those areas are cut off from the network services, so we are yet to receive a report of any incidents there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, who doubles as the executive director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), warned that the indicators of renewed clashes have been and continue to be evident. He demanded government intervention.
“The ongoing discussion on social media and community events, of these issues and suspicious mobilization, is worrying. They have unfortunately fueled hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, hence the alleged mobilization. This is deeply worrying,” he explained. “Equally, more disappointing is the government’s reluctance over these unfolding events. Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok had initially committed himself to an amicable settlement of this issue. Unfortunately, today, his administration is watching the communities in question, butchering themselves with folded arms.”
Deng called for the temporary deployment of neutral armed forces in Biothagany to stop clashes and, most importantly, dialogue and grassroots consultative meetings to culminate in a peace mediation process.