Warrap State Governor Manhiem Bol Malek. (Photo: Office of the President).

The governor of Warrap State has mandated a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate the random shooting that occurred during a peace rally in Gogrial East County on Saturday.

In a Gubernatorial order dated 21, the committee is headed by Brigadier General Awuou Nyariel, deputized by Lieutenant Colonel Kuol Mawien Kuol alongside Molana Akol Makuei as the secretary, is tasked to find the root cause of the random shooting.

“H.E. Brig. Gen. Mahiem Bol Malek, the governor of Warrap State issued a Gubernatorial order forming a fact-finding committee to investigate what was the root cause of the random shooting, and the killing of innocent civilians including those who were alleged to be reporting from the scene of the Matlel peace random shooting and interruption of the peace rally,” said spokesperson William Wol.

The decision on Tuesday came after an unknown group of armed men opened fire disrupting the peace event – that aimed to resolve the conflict that erupted earlier this month between the Apuk Giir of Warrap and the Marial-bai community of Jur River County in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

The incident according to the Minister, prompted some youths to run into houses and pick up firearms including AK-47 rifles and machine guns to protect a delegation’s convoy.

The incident forced the officials and peace delegations to run into the vehicles to make inquiries about the attack.

The committee is directed to get first-hand accounts from relevant witnesses including a woman who claimed that the shooting was initiated by armed youth from Western Bahr el Ghazal.

It is also expected to recommend the necessary means to be taken by the state government towards the issue.