Two men were killed and one person injured following a violent dispute between armed youth from two payams in Mayom County, Unity State, on Tuesday night.
Mayom County Commissioner James Lily Kuol confirmed the incident in an interview with Radio Tamzaju on Wednesday. He said the violence erupted between youth from Mankien and Kueyiel payams after a dispute between two individuals escalated into a gunfight.
“The conflict was between Chiengbolkang youth from Mankien and Chiengkuring youth from Kueyiel,” Kuol said. “One person from Chiengbolkang was killed and another injured. Chiengkuring lost one person as well.”
Kuol said the incident occurred during a nighttime gathering in Mankien Payam, where local youth often host social events. He added that several people were arrested following the incident, although the exact number has not yet been released.
Local civil society groups have condemned the violence.
Riek Koang, Unity State coordinator for the Street Children Care Initiative Organization, called the incident “unfortunate” and criticized the role of armed youth in escalating communal tensions.
“It is very unfortunate to hear of the deaths of two men at the hands of armed youth taking the law into their own hands,” Koang said. “When authorities fail to arrest perpetrators, it only encourages further violence.”
Koang extended condolences to the families of the victims.