Warrap legislature condemns deadly clashes between civilians, army in Tonj North

Lawmakers at the Warrap state Legislative Assembly have condemned the recent killing of at least 28 people during clashes between soldiers and armed civilians in Tonj North County.

Two weeks ago, armed men, including SSPDF Chief of Military Intelligence, Majors and Captains, three commanders, and the former Commissioner of Mayen Jur of the defunct Gogrial State died in Rual-bet Payam.

The skirmishes were reportedly triggered by a disarmament exercise in Arul village.

“As representatives of the people of Warrap state, we regret the lives lost on both sides during this senseless fighting between the armed youth and the SSPDF,” said Rt.Hon. Kuec Deng Mayar, speaker of the Warrap state legislative assembly.

The assembly asked the youth to refrain and urged the army to avoid the use of excessive force when dealing with civilians.

“We call upon the state and the national government to intervene in order to rescue the situation our people are now in,” he added.

In 2020, fighting erupted between civilians and soldiers deployed to conduct disarmament exercise in Tonj East. More than 100 people, including soldiers were killed.

Speaker Kuec Deng disclosed that the state assembly will send its Security and Peace Committee to the restive area to gather facts regarding the incident.