Juba.- At least 20 people were killed and another 29 were injured in a new wave of inter-communal clashes that broke out early this Monday in Warrap state, in northern South Sudan, local authorities informed EFE.
The clashes began when armed youths from the Apukjuwiir and Yar communities—both belonging to the Dinka ethnic group—allegedly attacked several villages of the Thony clan, with the fighting spreading through the towns of Ajiwel, Manyit, and surrounding areas, located in South Tonj County.
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The Minister of Information for Warrap state, James Bol, confirmed to EFE the preliminary death toll and indicated that state authorities are still assessing the full extent of the attack.
“Our preliminary assessment shows that 20 people died and 29 were injured. Of the deceased, eight belonged to the Thony community, seven to the Yar, and five to the Apukjuwiir,” detailed Bol, who specified that these figures have already been verified by the local government.
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The violence also caused the burning of some 20 homes, which has forced dozens of families to flee to the neighboring town of Akonchok, where they are seeking refuge after having lost all their belongings, the official added.
Likewise, he assured that the South Sudanese Government has deployed additional security forces in the affected areas to stabilize the situation, protect civilians, and “prevent reprisals”.
“We have launched investigations into the incident and are working closely with traditional leaders to restore calm and prevent another cycle of violence,” added Bol.
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Warrap State is one of the main hotspots for intercommunal violence in South Sudan, where clashes linked to cattle raiding, inter-clan reprisals, and disputes over pasture, water, and territory are recurrent.
The situation in this region has worsened significantly between 2025 and 2026 with sharp escalations of violence in the Tonj East and Tonj South counties, which have left hundreds dead in recent months, including 53 deaths in just three days last April.
This persistent instability forced the Juba Government to declare a state of emergency in Warrap and to order intense disarmament campaigns of the civilian population through an increased military presence.
However, the proliferation of firearms and the weakness of the local judicial system—which has at times had only a single judge to serve six counties—continue to hinder the definitive pacification of the area.
