A leading civil society activist in Jonglei State, Bol Deng Bol, has called on both the state and national governments to urgently intervene in the escalating tension between the communities of Duk and Twic East Counties, warning that renewed clashes could erupt if no action is taken.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Bol who is the Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS) and Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN)said recent developments point to “a possibility of continued clashes between the aggrieved communities.”
“The ongoing discussions on social media and at community events, coupled with suspicious mobilization, are worrying. They have unfortunately fueled hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation,” he stated.
Mr. Bol expressed alarm over what he described as the reluctance of the Jonglei State government to respond to the growing tension, despite earlier commitments by Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok to seek an amicable solution.
“His Excellency Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok had initially committed himself to an amicable settlement of this issue. Unfortunately, today, his administration is watching the communities in question butcher themselves with folded arms,” Bol lamented.
He urged the government to take two immediate interventions to prevent the situation from deteriorating further:
“Deploy neutral armed forces in Biothagany to stop possible clashes and create space for dialogue and Convene grassroots consultative meetings leading to a comprehensive peace mediation process that includes chiefs, youth, and other directly involved community groups.” Said Bol.
Bol stressed that swift and decisive action is essential to prevent further loss of life and to preserve stability in the area.
“We are alarmed by these developments,” he said, warning that inaction could embolden rival groups and undermine previous peace efforts in the region.
The conflict between some sections of the Duk and Twic East communities has remained unresolved for months, with intermittent tensions threatening to spill over into violence.
Observers say timely government intervention could play a crucial role in calming the situation and restoring trust between the two neighboring counties.
