Armed youth in show of weaponry. | Courtesy

Nearly 40 people are now known to have been killed, and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday during inter-communal fighting between the bordering communities of Luayjang in Warrap State and Pakam in Lakes State, authorities have confirmed.

Warrap Information Minister reported that 19 people were killed when gunmen allegedly from Rumbek North and Cueibet counties of Lakes State, accompanied by youth from Panyijiar County of Unity State, raided five cattle camps leading to civilian deaths.

“The government of Warrap State has received with sadness the news of an incident which occurred on January 31, 2024, involving an explosion of violence in Luanyjang cattle camps,” Mayom said in a statement.

“We have received comprehensive information this morning that the clashes involved an attack emanating from Pakam of Rumbek North County, Gok-Tooch of Cueibet County in Lakes State, and Nuer-Ador of Panyijiar County of Unity State.”

Mayom said the state government has responded to the situation by sending Division 11 Commander Major General Kongoor Bashir to the ground to curtail the violence.

He said Kuajok also dispatched a delegation to drive cattle herders away from the contentious swampy areas good for grazing to deescalate the situation.

“The violence has been de-escalated, but minor clashes are still being reported in inaccessible swampy areas and casualties cannot be fully verified,” Mayom said on Wednesday.

Lakes State Police Commissioner Major Elijah Mabor Makuach also confirmed the incident and said about 19 people were also killed on their side.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), at 11 am, they confronted each other, they clashed and fought until evening hours,” the security official said.

Major Makuach, however, said the incident was not an attack on Warrap’s Luanyjang payam, but a flareup of violence among youths in the cattle camps.

“This is what happened actually it was not an attack carried by armed youths from Lakes State it was a clash. According to the preliminary report, 19 were killed and the number of wounded persons that we received were 34 and plus him becomes 35.”