In Tonj North County of Warrap State, at least 20 people were killed and 38 others wounded in intense inter-communal fighting, believed to have been incited by criminal elements within the Lou community. The violence erupted in Alebek Payam and is connected to previous incidents in the region, according to State Information Minister William Wol Mayom.
Due to severe flooding, the state government is struggling to contain the situation and has deployed security forces to prevent the supply of ammunition to the conflict zone. The Minister urged for calm as authorities work to address the escalating violence, with the number of casualties expected to rise.
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani condemned the deadly clashes and called on political leaders to prevent further escalation. He emphasized the vulnerability of women, children, and persons with disabilities in the face of the ongoing violence.
President Salva Kiir directed the new Governor of Warrap State to address the situation promptly, urging for peace and unity. Despite a peace agreement in 2018, inter-communal violence, believed to be influenced by political elites, continues to pose a threat in various parts of South Sudan.