Ayual, Hol Community Urged to Reconcile Amid Rising Tensions

By Awan Achiek                                                                                           

The INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), a civil society organisation based in Jonglei on Saturday, called on the rival communities of Ayual in Twic East County and Hol in Duk County of Jonglei State to put an end to the bloodshed and embrace peace.

In a statement issued on Saturday, INTREPID South Sudan said there is no justification for the continued use of violence and called for an end to hostilities.

“We urge the communities involved to stop fighting immediately and instead consider utilising indigenous means of dispute resolution, which have long been established in their respective cultural norms and practices,” it stated.

The organisation expressed its condolences to the bereaved families.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence. We believe it is a culmination of various incidents that have occurred in the same location involving the communities today.”

The Christian Agency for Peace and Development, a youth-led organisation, called on local MPs, community leaders, and chiefs to intervene and address the violence.

“We call for a de-escalation of tensions and for measures to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected. This attack is part of a series of assaults since October 2023 that have severely disrupted peaceful coexistence in the area.”

The body urged humanitarian organisations to intervene and provide necessary aid to support the victims and the affected population.

“We remind the government of its paramount duty to uphold the protection of all citizens’ lives and livelihoods and to take all necessary measures to prevent further violence and support mediation and reconciliation.”

Tensions between the Hol community of Duk County and the Ayual community of Twic East County have resulted in at least 13 deaths and more than 20 injuries due to clashes over a disputed fishing area on 6 June 2025.

The fighting began on Wednesday when armed youth from Duk County allegedly attacked Bioth-Agany Fishing Island, a contested territory claimed by Twic County.