The government of Warrap State announced the death of more than 46 people killed in violent clashes that lasted for three days, rendering 25 others seriously injured.
The fighting was between two tribal groups in the village of “Qilt” in Eastern Tong Province.
The local Minister of Information, Mamir Bat Maouk, stated that the clashes, which erupted in the locality, left various homes burnt down to ashes as well as massive destruction of property, with innocent civilians from both sides of the fighting groups badly affected.
Warrap is one of the ten states in South Sudan, located in the Bahr el Ghazal region. With its headquarters in the Kuajok, the precinct became part of South Sudan after a successful secession from Sudan on 9 July 2011.
Authorities are blaming the clashes on what they describe as long-standing retaliatory conflicts between the Luang-Jang and Jal-Wao communities, further escalating recurring tribal tensions in the region.
Minister Maouk also noted that security forces have already intervened to restore calm, confirming the temporary return of stability.
The roots of the crisis and their consequences are explained as being mostly ethnic.
The Warab State has witnessed repeated tribal conflicts, often due to disputes over livestock, cattle raiding and scramble for natural resources, including grazing land and water.
The region experienced similar violent events earlier this year, in addition to the previous clashes recorded in 2020 that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
While the government in South Sudan is exerting efforts to contain the situation, activists and civil society organizations are demanding immediate intervention as well as through investigations, to establish lasting solutions.
Experts are also advising that remedies should be focusing on enhancing community dialogue and preventing further escalation of violence. Warnings are growing about the repercussions of these conflicts on security and development in the region.