Warrap State authorities have announced a plan to deploy 1,500 troops to Tonj East County to quell an escalating inter-communal violence in the area that has been ongoing for three days.
According to media reports, the violent clashes between the Luacjang and Jalwau communities has killed at least 26 people with the number expected to rise.
However, a statement released by the state Ministry of Information confirmed that the fighting has intensified but stated that the exact number of casualties remains unknown.
“In response to this incident, the government has taken immediate action to stop this senseless violence in Tonj East and other parts of Tonj. We have requested to send in 1,500 soldiers from Division Eleven to Tonj East to help minimize the situation,” read the statement.
State authorities condemned the violence and urged the communities of Bach, Jalwau, and Luacjang to cease hostilities.
“On behalf of the government, I am appealing to both fighting communities to live peacefully and avoid further fights, road, night, and physical confrontations involving the firing of guns,” the statement read.
“We also urge everyone to prioritize the safety and well-being of their communities and to allow the cultivation to begin peacefully.”
According to media reports, the violence has resulted in at least 26 fatalities, with 13 men and 13 women reported dead from both sides. The number is expected to rise as fighting escalates.
Tonj East County Commissioner Ngor Dhuol Mangong told the media that numerous individuals have been wounded.
“The situation is beyond our control. I am only staying with ten soldiers at the county headquarters, and I cannot manage to intervene,” Dhuol stated on Thursday.
Warrap State has consistently faced insecurity related to inter-communal violence and revenge killings. While several governors have attempted to address these issues, the widespread presence of arms in the hands of civilians has proven to be a significant challenge.
In a recent incident, armed civilians ambushed 13 South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) personnel traveling to Tonj East on May 1, 2025. The assailants disarmed the soldiers and made off with their rifles.
The government’s deployment of troops aims to restore order and prevent further loss of life.
