RUMBEK – At least three people have been killed and five others injured following clashes between local youth and soldiers in Cuei-Bet County of South Sudan’s Lakes State, an official said.
The incident reportedly occurred at around 3 p.m. on Sunday when organized forces were ambushed by local youth, commonly known as the “Gelweng,” while traveling from Pagor Payam to Cuei-Bet County.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Office of the Governor of Lakes, Maj. Gen. Madhang Majok Meen said the clashes broke out after government forces attempted to recover cattle allegedly raided from a community in neighboring Rumbek Central County.
“The Office of the Governor is aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred between members of the organized forces and civilians in the outskirts of Cuei-Bet County on 09/08/2026 around 3 pm,” part of the statement reads.
It said the soldiers had been trying to recover cattle taken from Buoi cattle camp in Rumbek Central County when they came under attack.
“The organized forces were ambushed by Gelweng youths on their way from Pagor Payam to Cuei-Bet County, which resulted in three deceased and five injured from both sides.”
The office of governor called for calm and restraint from both the security forces and the civilian population.
“We emphasize that the primary mandate of our armed forces is the protection of the citizenry, and any action that undermines this trust is a matter of grave concern to this administration and must be addressed in the full scope of the law.”
The governor’s office said it has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident and determine its root cause.
It assured the public that the law would be applied equally, stressing that anyone found to have acted outside the law, whether security personnel or civilian, would be held fully accountable.
“We are engaging with local leadership and community representatives to address grievances and prevent any further escalation,” it said.
It said the governor remains committed to fostering a harmonious relationship between the security sector and the people they serve.
“We urge all citizens to remain law-abiding and to refrain from any actions that may further disturb the public order while the investigation is underway,” it said.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that justice is served and that the safety and dignity of every citizen in Lakes State are upheld.”
South Sudan has experienced repeated clashes linked to cattle raiding and disputes between communities, particularly in parts of Lakes and neighboring states.
Such violence has often resulted in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of civilians.
