20 killed, 37 wounded in Separate Clashes in Tonj North

The authorities of Warrap State on Wednesday confirmed that at least 20 people were killed and 37 others sustained bullet wounds in the two separate revenge attacks in Tonj North County’s Alabek Payam on 28 and 29 September 2024.

Tonj North County Acting Commissioner Daniel Managar told Radio Tamazuj the clashes were triggered by revenge killings among elements from the Patek Clan who fought running battles across four bomas in Alabek Payam.

“The clashes started on 28 September at around 4 p.m. when Deng Juach from the Pan Kuei Section of Executive Chief Marol Akech killed Kuol Wut Kuol from the Pan Arek Clan of the Muoc Section to revenge his uncle’s son who was killed two years ago,” he narrated.  “On 29 September, Pan Arek armed youth staged another attack against the Pan Kuei Section of Alabek Payam and fighting started at 5 p.m. and lasted till 7 p.m. resulting in the death of four people, two from both sides.”

Managar added, “On the same day, 29 September, heavy fighting resumed in which three people from Pan Kuei were killed and another killed on 30 September, bringing the total to four dead from their side and 15 wounded.”

He said the Pan Kuei Section suffered heavy losses as 16 people were killed and 23 people were wounded in the two days of fighting.

According to the official, the wounded have not been taken to hospital as tensions remain high although there was relative calm and no more attacks. He said security personnel did not intervene due to heavy flooding in the area, poor roads, and because the civilians fighting were heavily armed.

Managar however said that his county was at peace with her neighbors and that the only challenge they are grappling with is flooding which has destroyed crops and displaced people.

Meanwhile, Atek Monydhar Atek, a state legislator representing Alabek Payam Constituency Number 25, confirmed the clashes and appealed to the Red Cross to come to the rescue of the wounded, saying there are no drugs in government health facilities.

“The fighting erupted at the end of September between Akok and Muoc Bomas in which Kuol wut Kuol Ariik from Muoc Boma was killed by a person called Juach, another man called Riing Nhial Ariik was also killed in Akok Boma and Atek Arik Mawien was also killed in Langkap Boma on that day,” he said. “On 28 September, the four bomas of Muoc, Langkap, Maluildit, and Malook attacked Akok Boma and so many people lost their lives that day with more than 17 killed in Langkam Boma. I do not know the number of those wounded, they are very many, maybe 25.”

He added:  So, four were killed in Akok Boma and more than 11 were reportedly wounded because I am now in the Warrap Town, not in Kuajok, and collected the information through phone calls.”