By Matik Kueth
At least 46 people have been killed and 52 others wounded in a violent communal clash between the Luanyjang and Janglow clans in Tonj East, Warrap State, according to local authorities.
The fight, which lasted three days from May 27 to 29, 2025, caused extensive destruction and displaced several families.
In an exclusive interview with King Media on Friday, Mamer Bath, Warrap State’s Information Minister, stated that the situation is a bit calm today [Friday], albeit the fighting has resulted in destruction, with some children caught in the crossfire and houses burnt down.
“The current situation in Tonj East has calm to normal since yesterday [Thursday]. The armed youths from Luanyjang who moved against Janglual yesterday according to the final information we got from the Tonj East County commissioner. The situation in Tonj East has returned to normal, just that the situation happened, village houses were burnt down and some properties looted. Some children were also caught on the crossfire,” Bath stated.
He said 13 women were among those murdered during clashes in a crossfire.
“Like 13 women were also caught by crossfire during the fighting. According to the morning [Friday] information that I heard from the commissioner, the total death is 46. Total number of deaths from both sides. Janglow has 36 and Luanyjang with 10. And 52 wounded both sides,” he added.
He condemned the current violence in Tonj East County and urged both parties to cease the fighting immediately.
“We have requested to send in 1,500 soldiers from Division Eleven to Tonj East to help minimize the situation. Additionally, we urge the national government to urgently deploy more forces to swiftly silence the current ongoing conflict in Tonj East,” he stressed.
The information minister also urged both conflicting communities to embrace peaceful coexistence.
“I am appealing to both fighting communities to live peacefully and avoid further fights, riots, and physical confrontations involving the firing of guns,” he appealed.
Clashes between rival clans in Tonj East County have persisted for years, with previous efforts to resolve them yielding little progress.
The government and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have conducted various trainings on the importance of peace and reconciliation in Tonj East, Tonj North, Tonj South, Twic, and Gogrial counties. However, the situation on the ground remains unaltered.