At least 26 people have been killed in western South Sudan as a result of fighting between local groups. Conflicts between armed youths in Warrap State and neighboring states, including Lakes and Western Bar El Ghazal, have contributed to more than 150 deaths in total since last week.
The root of these conflicts is linked to the control of land and natural resources, and there are suspicions that political motivations are also involved. Despite the formal peace agreement reached in 2018 to end the 5-year conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, localized violence between rival communities continues to erupt regularly.
In response to the escalating violence, President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar issued a joint call for an end to sub-national violence. This comes at a crucial time as the nation prepares for national elections later in the year to select new leaders who will succeed the current transitional government.
The latest conflict took place when armed youths from Warrap State attacked and burned a police station and market in Western Bar El Ghazal State. The acting governor of the state reported that eight security officers and ten civilians were killed. This escalation was fueled by a dispute over fertile land used for grazing and farming.
Some expressed surprise at the level of weaponry being used by local groups and suggested that certain political leaders may be encouraging the violence to postpone the upcoming elections. There is a growing concern that those in power feel threatened by the prospect of losing their positions and are manipulating these conflicts to maintain their control.