William Koji Kerjok, the Acting Minister of Information and Communication in Lakes State, informed Sudan Post on Sunday evening that the incident stemmed from a traditional bull horn piercing ceremony at the Gan cattle camp in Lol-Manyiel Toich land on Saturday.
The conflict began when a bull owner fired shots into the air, injuring a member of the Niel-Neil section of the Pakam community, which escalated into a broader confrontation between the Niel-Neil and Boor groups.
“One youth from the Boor section was injured by someone from the Niel-Neil section, sparking anger and leading to a fight that left five people dead and six others wounded,” Kerjok explained. “The situation caused significant tension from yesterday through this morning, but the government has managed to intervene, separating both groups.”
Kerjok noted that the Boor section of the Rup community from Rumbek Central County and the Niel-Neil section of the Pakam community from Rumbek North County were being physically separated to prevent further violence. He added that the county commissioners of Rumbek Central and Rumbek North, along with executive directors and local chiefs, were actively engaged in ongoing discussions at the incident site in Lol-Manyiel grazing land to de-escalate the situation.
Kerjok emphasised that a disarmament process would be enforced in response to the hostility, aligning with similar efforts in Warrap and parts of Unity State. “The state of emergency declared in Warrap State should extend to all states in Bahr el Ghazal, particularly in areas plagued by cattle raiding, revenge killings, and other minor incidents that disrupt peace in Lakes State,” he stated.
He further stressed that the suspect responsible for initiating the violence must be apprehended for investigation. “No one escapes accountability here. If you cause an incident, you will be arrested, brought to justice, and questioned under the law,” Kerjok asserted.
Although one of the deceased was from Cueibet County, which initially raised tensions between Cueibet and Rumbek Central County, Kerjok reported that the situation had been resolved. “Almost everywhere was tense, but as we speak, calm has been restored, and people have returned to their cattle camps. Lakes State is now stable,” he said, emphasising the importance of peaceful coexistence for sustained stability. He warned that those instigating conflicts would face consequences and urged residents to refrain from cattle raiding or provoking revenge attacks in neighbouring states.
Kerjok also addressed rumours suggesting that youth from Yirol East County in Lakes State were involved in killings elsewhere, calling them false. “We have no evidence of Lakes State youth causing trouble in Panyijar County or any nearby state,” he said, noting that security forces were deployed along the borders to prevent cross-border crimes and ensure safety.
Dr. Teran Madit Teran, the medical director of Rumbek State Hospital, confirmed that the hospital received 15 casualties with gunshot wounds from the communal clashes. Most injuries were to the upper and lower limbs, with the majority being minor. However, he described a concerning trend where many patients, particularly those with fractures, fled the hospital wards.
“Our nurses reported that they don’t know what happened to these patients,” Dr. Teran said. “Based on our understanding, they may fear being questioned or detained by state security forces.” He noted that only the most severely injured, who could not survive if taken home, remained in the hospital. Despite the escapes, he clarified that the conditions of those who left were not critical, primarily involving fractures.
Kerjok concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to maintaining peace and holding accountable those who disrupt it, ensuring Lakes State remains a place of coexistence and stability.
