A gunman in South Sudan | Credit | Courtesy
Photo: Alamy.com
At least 26 people have been killed and more than 30 injured in escalating communal violence between the Akok and Thiik sections in Tonj East County, Warrap State, authorities said.
The violence reportedly began after a young man was killed
by suspected armed men from the Thiik section during his father's funeral in
Mader village.
The clashes have since been accompanied by further deadly
attacks, including a road ambush on Tuesday that left four people dead,
according to Tonj East County Caretaker Commissioner Machuei Bith Bol. The
attack was suspected to have been carried out by armed men from the Akok
section.
“The total number of people killed is 26, including one
woman killed yesterday in a road ambush. Injuries are more than 30 people,” Bol
said.
He said the government was working with the army
administration to deploy security forces to the area to disarm civilians.
“I talked with my boss and the army administration, and they
promised to deploy to disarm civilians,” he said.