Map of Western Bahr el Ghazal State. (-)

At least four people including a military officer were killed in an armed attack in Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday, police said.

The state police commissioner, Major General James Simon said unidentified gunmen in civilian clothes attacked the area and burned down several houses.

The police official said although the identity of the assailants has not been determined, he believes the issue is related to the Manyang land dispute.

“Unknown gunmen in civilian uniform attacked Achoum-Choum area and killed four people. One of the victims is an officer called Majok Mabong Myath, and the rest are civilians,” he told Eye Radio.

General Simon said dozens of villagers have fled their homes following the attack.

He called on the neighboring communities in Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal region to respect the recent presidential order and cease hostilities.

“There is no one from the government who will be promoting the conflict among the citizen, therefore, we are urging people to respect law including the presidential degree.”

“If really these people of the two community are the one who are attacking and if it’s related to Manyang, let us give a chance to the decision or order of the president and implement that order that was meant to solve the issue of Manyang.”

The deadly attack and similar violent incident recently reported at the Warrap-Abyei and Warrap-Unity State borders occur just days after President Salva Kiir ordered an immediate end to hostilities in the Bahr el Ghazal region.