Jonglei Deputy Governor Wilson Awuol Gajang – courtesy photo.

The Deputy Governor of Jonglei State, Wilson Awuol Gajang, says the state government is working to resolve recent cases of intercommunal violence in Bor, Twic East and Duk counties.

In April, violent clashes between the Malual and Abang clans of Kolnyang Payam in Bor County left at least seven people dead and 15 others injured.

In a separate incident earlier this month, at least seven people were killed during fighting between sections of the Hol community of Duk County and the Kongor community of Twic East County over a disputed island.

The Deputy Governor said the government is mediating between the Abang and Malual communities to address the land dispute that triggered the violence and restore peace.

“The conflict in Malual chat is being brought to an end. we have formed a committee which is negotiating with the two fighting communities of Malual and Abang to so that the problem is brought to an end,” he said.

Awuol said the state government has also formed a committee to resolve the conflict between the Nyiel and Kongor sections of Duk and Twic East counties.

“We are working with the commissioner of Twic East County and Duk county to form a committee to include paramount chiefs from both counties, youth leaders and women leaders, we will bring them to the state capital in Bor town to see how the issue will be resolved. we have requested division eight commander to send his forces there. But the area is hard to reach unless we use boats,” he added.

He said the committee, which includes chiefs, youth leaders and women representatives from both counties, will meet in the state capital Bor to find lasting solutions to the root causes of the conflict.

He added that the state government has also requested the division commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces to deploy forces on the ground to prevent further confrontations.

The Deputy Governor further said 18 people who were initially reported missing during the fighting have been found alive.

He said access to the remote Sud islands was difficult, which initially limited the government’s response to the conflict.