South Sudan civil society blames political interference for worsening communal violence

JUBA – A South Sudanese civil society coalition on Monday accused influential politicians and military officers of fuelling communal violence across the country, warning that growing insecurity could undermine the country’s political transition and preparations for elections.

The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) said communal clashes had increased over the past three months, with violence reported in Lakes, Jonglei, Unity, Warrap and Upper Nile states, as well as Ruweng and Abyei administrative areas.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the coalition said the widespread availability of firearms among civilians, longstanding disputes, hunger and youth unemployment were contributing to recurring violence.

“In most cases, violent communal conflicts are triggered and fueled by disgruntled powerful politicians and military officials,” the statement signed by coalition chairperson Bol Deng Bol said.

The group did not identify the politicians or military officers it accused of encouraging the violence or provide specific evidence linking them to the recent clashes.

The statement comes days after deadly fighting between armed youths from rival communities spread into Rumbek town, the capital of Lakes State, leaving dozens of people dead and forcing residents to flee their homes.

According to a preliminary government report issued on Friday, at least 71 people, including four soldiers, were reportedly killed in the violence, although authorities said the exact casualty figures had yet to be verified.

The clashes began on Thursday in Nyangkot village, on the outskirts of Rumbek Central County, where at least four people were killed in fighting involving armed youths from the Nyang and Pakam communities.

Fighting intensified early on Friday, when armed youths from the two communities engaged in renewed clashes that spread into residential areas of Rumbek town, causing panic among residents.

The violence forced civilians to flee to nearby villages, including Ronga, Cueiadukan and Adol, as government forces moved to contain the fighting.

The government later announced that joint security forces comprising the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the National Security Service (NSS) and the national police had regained control of the town.

Four armed civilians were arrested and four firearms recovered, according to the information ministry, which said investigations into the violence were underway.

In its statement on Monday, the civil society coalition warned that the continued failure to address communal disputes could have wider consequences as South Sudan moves towards its planned elections.

“As the country prepares itself for democratic practices, we are afraid that, sooner or later, the ongoing communal conflicts or underlying conflicts, will stand on the way of the transition,” the statement said.

The coalition urged newly appointed caretaker governors and chief administrators to prioritise resolving communal disputes through dialogue and reconciliation rather than allowing tensions to escalate into armed confrontations.

It also called on the national government to provide security assistance where necessary, particularly in areas experiencing repeated attacks and retaliatory violence.

The coalition urged state administrations to develop plans for addressing existing disputes and preventing further clashes, saying such measures would allow communities, civil society organisations and development partners to assess progress and provide support.

Communal violence has remained a persistent security challenge in South Sudan despite efforts by successive state administrations to promote reconciliation and disarm armed civilians.

In Lakes State, disputes involving cattle raiding, revenge killings and competition over resources have repeatedly led to deadly confrontations between armed youths, sometimes spreading beyond rural communities into populated towns.

The latest fighting in Rumbek has raised renewed concerns about the ability of local authorities to contain such violence, particularly as the country prepares for its first national elections since independence in 2011.

President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government in September and appointed caretaker authorities as part of political changes ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026.

The civil society coalition said unresolved communal disputes could complicate the transition unless the new administrations took practical measures to address the causes of violence.

The NCSC is an umbrella organisation bringing together grassroots civil society networks from South Sudan’s 10 states and three administrative areas.