Six people have been killed and 17 others wounded in intercommunal clashes in Wiechjol, Akobo County, Jonglei State, according to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the fighting began on October 13 as a revenge killing between two clans before spreading to more than seven clans grouped under the Jagwe and Cieng Nyel sub-tribes.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Army’s General Headquarters on Thursday, Lul said the violence escalated after the intended target was shot dead and another person was killed while attempting to shield him.
He said people at a nearby market were also wounded in crossfire, prompting relatives of those killed and injured to join the fighting.
“It had started as a revenge killing between two clans,” Lul said, explaining how the incident escalated into wider intercommunal violence.
He added that the clashes eventually spread beyond the two clans initially involved.
“So, it started spreading from two clans to engulfing more than seven clans,” he said.
Lul also outlined the SSPDF’s role in maintaining security ahead of the forthcoming general elections, saying the army would protect the country’s territorial integrity and support security arrangements during the electoral period.
He said the military would help organize security forces, including the police, to protect politicians during election campaigns and secure ballots if requested by the relevant electoral bodies.
“SSPDF personnel in active service that would like to join politics would only do so after resigning from military service,” Lul said.
The post Six killed, 17 wounded in intercommunal clashes in Akobo, says SSPDF first appeared on Eye Radio.