Lakes State government says it has now confirmed that sixteen (16) civilians were killed and twenty (20) others wounded over the weekend during inter-communal clashes in the state.
Lakes State Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, William Koji Kirjok, who is also the caretaker Minister of Information, told Juba Echo that the violence occurred between Gony and Thuyic communities at Manyangrel cattle camp.
“The number of people killed are 16 from both sides, 20 others were wounded and we are still waiting for more reports from police who are now on the ground.” Kirjok told Juba Echo by phone from Rumbek on Sunday.
He disclosed that both sides to the conflict are still heavily armed and that the state government has dispatched security forces to quell the violence and restore calm.
The United Nations says since 2019, there has been rise in inter-communal violence in South Sudan especially in Jonglei, Warrap and Lakes States characterized often with cattle raiding, child abduction and revenge killings.
Kirjok revealed that the state government plans to continue with ongoing efforts to disarm civilians.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in it’s recent report in March said about 2,421 civilians were killed by militias in 2020, more than double the previous year.
