15 killed in clashes between youth from Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazel

By Simon Deng

At least 15 people have been killed in clashes over the disputed Manyang and Nyin Akok areas separating Warrap state and Western Bahr El Ghazal state.

William Wol Mayom, the minister of information for Warrap State revealed that seven people from Warrap State were killed during fighting early morning of Monday in Tharkueng market between 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 7 people most of them are women,” Mayom said.

Samuel Nichola, the state minister of information for Western Bahr El Ghazel who visited the scene of the clashes with the Acting Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State Arkangelo Anyar Anyar said that nine people including five soldiers were killed during the fighting.

Nichola said that this was the second time the two communities are fighting following the directive by President Salva Kiir to security forces to clamp down on perpetrators of communal clashes across the country.

The fighting between the two communities over the disputed areas of Manyang and Nyin Akok first erupted in August 2023.

 “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 travelling from Wau to Kuajok, mainly targeting Apuk Giir Thiik community,” Mayom said.

Ajok Anyar, the youth leader for Marial Wau community said that several people have been displaced from Tharkueng.

He also revealed that at least 18 people including high-ranking security officers have been killed during the fighting in Tharkueng Payam of Jur River County.

Anyar said that shops and houses were torched by youth from neighbouring Apuk community of Warrap State.