Dozens killed as violence flares in disputed area in South Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - Dozens were reportedly killed in attacks in a disputed area between Western Barh El Ghazal State and Warrap State in South Sudan, officials said Tuesday.

About 20 people, including high-ranking police, army and national security officers were killed in fighting late Monday regarding the disputed Manyang and Nyin Akok areas separating Warrap State and Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

Shops and grass-thatched houses were also burned in the attack that was allegedly carried out by armed youth from the neighboring Apuk section of Warrap State.

The fighting between the two communities about the disputed areas of Manyang and Nyin Akok erupted in August and has killed more than 100 victims, according to media reports.

William Wol Mayom, the minister of information for Warrap State, told Anadolu that seven people from Warrap State were killed in the fighting in the Tharkueng market between the Apuk community of Gogrial East County in Warrap State and Marial Wau of Jur River County in Western Bhar El Ghazal State.

“So far on the side of Warrap, we lost seven people, most of them are women,” said Mayom.

Samuel Nichola, state minister of information for Western Bahr El Ghazal who visited the scene of the clashes with Acting Gov. of Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Arkangelo Anyar Anyar, said more than nine people, including five soldiers, were killed.

“Manyang and Nyin Akok are being contested by the two communities, there has been a recurrent cycle of burning houses and targeted killings particularly on the road when people are traveling from Wau to Kuajok, mainly targeting Apuk Giir Thiik community,” said Mayom.

He said it was the second time the two communities have fought following the directive by President Salva Kiir to security forces to clamp down on perpetrators of communal clashes.