Preliminary report puts death toll at 71 in Rumbek clashes

A preliminary government report puts the death toll from clashes between armed civilians in Rumbek, the capital of South Sudan’s Lakes State, at about 71, including four soldiers.

The fighting erupted in the town of Rumbek at about 4 a.m. on Friday.

The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services said in a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj that the figure was based on preliminary security reports and that the exact number of people killed and wounded remained unconfirmed.

The four soldiers killed included a captain and three non-commissioned officers, the statement said. It did not provide a breakdown of civilian casualties.

Radio Tamazuj reported earlier on Friday that heavy fighting had spread to residential neighbourhoods in Rumbek, forcing civilians to flee. The clashes followed violence in Nyangkot village, on the outskirts of Rumbek Central County, on Thursday.

Four people were killed in the initial clashes in Nyangkot, according to local officials. Fighting intensified in Rumbek town on Friday morning, with residents fleeing to nearby villages, including Ronga, Cueiadukan and Adol.

The government said it had deployed joint security forces comprising the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the National Security Service and the national police, adding that they had brought the situation under control.

Four armed civilians had been arrested and four firearms recovered, the statement said. The suspects and weapons were in SSPDF custody pending further investigation and legal action. The ministry did not identify the suspects or say whether they were suspected of involvement in specific killings.

The government condemned the violence and urged communities in Lakes State to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid retaliatory attacks. It offered condolences to the families of those killed and said further updates would be issued as more verified information became available.

Intercommunal violence involving armed youths has repeatedly affected Lakes State, with cattle raiding, revenge killings and disputes between communities contributing to insecurity.

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