At least 15 people have been killed and 16 others injured in fresh communal violence in Tonj South County, Warrap State, in northern South Sudan, a local official confirmed on Friday.
According to Ring Deng Ading, Commissioner of Tonj South County, the clashes erupted following an attack on Manyangok Payam by members of the Apuk, Yar, and Muok communities.
The violence broke out in Agama village, resulting in the destruction of numerous homes, the looting of property, and the displacement of families.
“There were cattle raids in December 2024 and January this year, and these communities have not stopped fighting since then. They continue retaliatory attacks,” Ading stated.
He added that although the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) were deployed to quell the unrest, the warring groups have continued to evade and manoeuvre around the security forces.
Communal violence remains a major issue in Warrap State and neighbouring Unity State, where ongoing tensions between the SSPDF and opposition forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) have worsened insecurity.
Warrap State has long been plagued by deadly cycles of cattle raiding, inter-communal fighting, and revenge killings, often resulting in significant loss of life and displacement.