![UN Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan. [Photo by Isaac Billy/UNMISS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image770x420cropped.jpg?resize=770%2C420&ssl=1)
The violence erupted on Thursday after four Shilluk men were attacked and killed at a fishing pool north of Malakal airport, according to government officials, academics, and community leaders who spoke to Sudan Post on Saturday.
Yohanis Abon, a lecturer of history at Upper Nile University, said the incident occurred when a white Toyota Landcruiser carrying suspected Dinka Dungjol assailants opened fire on the four men at Khor Nyengar of Both Payam of the Fashoda County.
It is located about 15 miles north of Malakal town.
“One survivor recounted that a white Toyota came and started shooting. After the people were killed, the vehicle departed towards Akoka,” Abon said, referring to an area inhabited by Dinka Dungjol of the Apadang Dinka section.
News of the killings sparked further violence when youth at the Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site attacked an innocent Dinka driver from Baliet County’s Ngok Lual Yak community, identified as Kiir Aben, Abon said.
“The people who killed the four fishermen are not Dinka Ngok Lual Yak, they are the Dungjol white army. But out of disinformation, these people attacked the driver who was transporting people to the PoC from Malakal town and killed him,” he emphasized.
The Ngok Lual Yak youth retaliated by attacking Shilluk residents of Malakal town, angered by the killing of Aben at the PoC.
On his part, the deputy commissioner-general of Upper Nile State revenue authority and chair of SPLM-IO youth league in Upper Nile State, Both Lee Kueth, confirmed the incident and revealed that he and other senior government officials were attacked when they visited the cemetery where the slain driver was being put to rest.
He said many senior government officials and police officers, including the state police commissioner, were wounded in the ensuing violence.
“We were attacked by those who were there throwing stones at us. Many people, including the Upper Nile State police commissioner, were wounded,” he said. “The situation forced us to leave the scene, with many of our cars being damaged.”
Two more people succumbed to their injuries on Saturday, bringing the total death toll to eight since the violence began, according to the official.
According to Both, security forces have been deployed and the situation is under control. He revealed that Shilluk residents of Malakal town have been moved to the governor’s and deputy governor’s residences for safety.
According to Abon, the violence escalated further when members of the Ngok Lual Yak Dinka went door-to-door in Malakal seeking out Shilluk residents. This, he said, indicated that the police and the SSPDF force stationed at Malakal had failed to contain the situation.
“The police and the army who were in Malakal were outnumbered by the youth and the government ordered the deployment of national security service forces from Paloich. This force has now contained the situation,” he said.
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, several community leaders from the Shilluk community admitted the misinformation surrounding the incident and said the situation is being discussed for a possible solution.
They pointed to ongoing reconciliation efforts by the UN Mission in South Sudan.
The Nuer Community, in a related issue, clarified that they are not involved in the violence, specifically pointing to a news story ran by Sudan Tribune in which it was indicated that the fighting is between the Nuer and the Shilluk Community.
“What was written by Sudan Tribune is not true. The Nuer community is not fighting anyone, and this is something between the Shilluk and the Dinka Communities and I hope that this is resolved in the shortest possible period,” said the Nuer Community statement.
