The minister said that their youth were resisting the heavily armed attackers who crossed from Jonglei State after days of mobilization; as Jonglei State Minister of Information denied knowledge of attacks

By Correspondent

Local authorities in Gumuruk County reported on Saturday that armed clashes erupted on Friday evening between gunmen from Jonglei and Pibor in Gumuruk County of Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

The Minister of Information in Pibor Administrative Area, Jacob Werchum Jouk, told local media on Saturday that Gumuruk County was attacked last Friday at 4 p.m. by gunmen suspected to be from Uror, Ayod and Duk counties in Jonglei State.

“They invaded Kibale and Nyalima villages in Manyabol payam,” the minister told Radio Tamazuj.

The minister said that their youth were resisting the heavily armed attackers who crossed from Jonglei State after days of mobilization.

He explained that they do not yet know the number of people killed or injured. However, the population has been displaced to other areas within the county.

On the other hand, Jonglei State Minister of Information, Ms. Nimar Lone, responded by saying, they are no aware of the ongoing fighting, and denied that the youth of the State were involved in the attack.

“We have been in contact with our youth, they are still in their counties, and no youth have moved from Duk, Uror or Ayod,” she was quoted as saying.

Minister Nimar stressed that they are committed to promoting peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

On the other hand, Edmund Yakani, a civil society activist and executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), condemned the ongoing fighting and urged the government to intervene.

“As a civil society, we condemn this fighting in Gumuruk County between youth from Pibor and Jonglei State. It has been circulating on social media for a long time, but the government has remained silent,” he said.

“The government must protect the lives of its citizens, and if these attacks are allowed to continue, we will witness gross violations of human rights,” Yakani added.