Intrepid South Sudan has condemned the recent attack in Bioth-agany, where 13 people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a violent dispute over a fishing ground, involving two communities.
Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of Intrepid South Sudan, strongly condemned the violence, urging both national and state governments to take decisive action to prevent further escalation and revenge killings.
He extended condolences to the grieving families and called on local youth to cease hostilities.
“This unfortunate incident has claimed over fourteen lives, injured more than a dozen, while several others remain missing. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families, and we wish a swift recovery to the injured,” Bol said in a statement.
Bol emphasized the urgent need for communities to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than armed confrontations, stressing that revenge killings continue to destabilize the country.
“We believe this violence is a buildup from previous incidents in the same location involving the same communities. We urge all parties to stop fighting and instead rely on indigenous conflict-resolution methods rooted in their cultural traditions. Violence should never be an option,” he added.
The activist criticized the Jonglei state government for failing to address the conflict early despite its responsibility to maintain peace. He challenged Governor Riek Gai Kok and Members of Parliament to act swiftly and bring an end to the ongoing violence.
It is suspected that the attack may be linked to the unresolved death of Deng Dau, also known as Deng Moradong, a popular Twic East wrestler who was killed in October 2023. His death, allegedly involving armed youth from Duk County, has fueled long-standing tensions between the communities.
Bol urged state authorities to implement decisive measures to de-escalate the violence and restore peace in the region. He also called on politicians to refrain from fueling conflicts among local communities.
