At least 62 people, including 20 women, have been killed in a fresh outbreak of communal violence in South Sudan’s warrap state, officials confirmed on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest tribal clashes in recent months.
According to local authorities, the violence erupted between rival armed youth groups from Twic and Abyei communities over longstanding land disputes and cattle raiding. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as homes were set ablaze, and families fled into nearby bushes seeking safety.
Warrap State’s acting information minister, Riing Deng Ading, said the attack began early Tuesday morning and lasted several hours before security forces intervened. In addition to the 62 deaths, several others were injured and dozens of cattle stolen.
“This was a brutal, coordinated attack,” Ading stated. “Among the dead are innocent civilians, including women and children. This level of violence is unacceptable.”
South Sudan’s national government has condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire. Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny urged community leaders to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful dialogue.
Communal violence fueled by cattle disputes, revenge killings, and resource competition remains a major challenge to peace in South Sudan, despite the country’s fragile 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending a civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for an independent investigation and pledged to assist local authorities in providing humanitarian support to displaced families.
