At least seven people have been killed and 15 others injured following violent clashes between the Malual and Abang communities in Kolnyang Payam, Jonglei State, according to the Bor County Commissioner.

The Bor County Commissioner said the incident occurred on Tuesday around 4:00 PM in Malual Chaat, following a misunderstanding involving a group of young girls who were reportedly walking and dancing along the road.

He said the situation escalated when a group of young men approached and allegedly misinterpreted the scene, leading to an altercation in which some of the girls were beaten.

“The fight was between Malual community and Abang community. These communities were broken into fighting yesterday around four. It was an issue of young girls that were running, dancing on the road,” the Bor County Commissioner said.

Smaule Pech said one of the victims, identified as Nyanuer Luol, was severely assaulted, prompting her relatives and members of the community to intervene and question the attackers.

He said the confrontation then escalated into a broader conflict between the two communities.

The official added that the initial disagreement over the incident quickly spread into wider fighting between the communities.

“The other young men came, like they were coming to engage, they misunderstood themselves. And young men beaten some of the girls. And there was one girl that was terribly beaten down, called Nyanuer Luol. That Nyanuer beaten down and the brothers at the other side came running, asking as to why they had beaten the girl. And that led to their misunderstanding,” he said.

The Bor County Commissioner said the fighting escalated from the use of sticks to firearms, resulting in casualties.

“Fighting broke out there and they fought using a stick until they reached a gun. That was the cause of yesterday’s fighting,” he said.

He confirmed that seven people were killed and 15 others injured, with some sustaining gunshot wounds and others injured by sticks. He added that the wounded are receiving treatment at Bor Hospital.

“In that fighting, seven people were killed. Three others were wounded. Some were wounded with a gun, bullets. Some were wounded with sticks. They are now admitted in the hospital,” the Bor County Commissioner said.

Mr Pec said the situation is now under control following the intervention of security forces, which restored calm in the area.

“The situation is under control,” he said.

He further said a security meeting has been convened, resolving that all individuals involved in instigating and participating in the violence, including local chiefs, will be identified, arrested, and brought to justice.

The Bor County Commissioner urged communities in the area to remain calm as investigations continue and efforts to prevent further escalation are ongoing.

The matter was discussed yesterday during a Governance Cluster meeting chaired by Acting Chair and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, where members reviewed a memorandum from the Ministry of Interior.

The memorandum outlines measures to support the safe return and reintegration of affected citizens into communities.

Speaking to the state-run TV, SSBC on Tuesday, the deputy minister of information, General David Yau Yau, said a total of 5,366 citizens have been returned to South Sudan including 3,006 from Sudan and 701 from Egypt.

“5,366 South Sudanese deputies were deported from foreign countries. From Sudan, we managed to receive 3,006 deputies, South Sudanese nationals. And then from Egypt, we managed to receive 701 deputies, South Sudanese nationals,” he said

The minister didn’t specify the period during which the individuals were deported.

However, he said the deportations are largely linked to lack of proper documentation and security-related concerns in host countries.

“Issues of documentations, the issues of maybe security concerns, the reason why this issue was brought to the discussion of the Council of Ministers,” he added.

On April 22, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs established a special task force, to address rising cases of harassment, arrests, and forced deportations of South Sudanese nationals abroad.

The task force will use diplomatic channels to engage host governments and monitor the welfare of affected citizens.

South Sudanese embassy officials in Cairo have also visited detained nationals and held what they described as positive discussions with Egyptian authorities to ensure the protection of citizens under international law.

The government is urging citizens in affected countries to remain calm as diplomatic efforts continue.

Authorities say further discussions will continue at the Council of Ministers level as efforts intensify to address the situation.