Four killed, six injured in Tonj cattle camp clash

JUBA – At least four people have been confirmed dead and six others injured following a communal clash between rival cattle-keeping groups in Tonj South County of South Sudan’s Warrap State, local authorities said.

The violence erupted on Tuesday in a swampy grazing area locally known as Tooch, where herders from neighbouring cattle camps had taken their livestock in search of water and pasture. The confrontation involved members of the Apuk-Jurwirr and Thon-Yar sections from Majok-Akot and Wunruel villages.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Commissioner of Tonj North County, John Ayitiak Warweng, said the fighting broke out suddenly and resulted in multiple casualties.

“What happened is a clash that left four dead and six injured at a swampy area, and the fighters are from Apuk-Jurwirr and Thon-Yar sections,” Warweng said. He added that local authorities had visited the scene and launched investigations to establish the root cause of the violence.

“We have gone to the scene, and investigations will continue to ascertain the nature and root cause of the problem,” he stated.

The commissioner said those injured in the confrontation could provide critical information to investigators. He stressed that anyone found responsible for instigating or escalating the conflict would face legal action.

“Those who will be found having a hand in this fight will be held accountable. The wounded will help us identify those behind the violence, whether they are politicians or local individuals,” he said.

In a related development, Warweng revealed that a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) truck came under gunfire as security forces were leaving the area after assessing the situation. One soldier was shot in the foot during the incident. Authorities are yet to determine who was responsible for the shooting or whether it was directly linked to the earlier clash.

The latest violence has heightened concerns among residents about the fragility of peace in Warrap State, where communal tensions and cattle-related disputes frequently escalate into deadly confrontations. The state remains under a declared state of emergency following previous waves of intercommunal violence.

Local officials say calm has since been restored, but investigations remain ongoing. Authorities have urged communities to refrain from retaliatory attacks and to cooperate with security forces to prevent further escalation.

Observers warn that without sustained reconciliation efforts and stronger local conflict resolution mechanisms, disputes over grazing land and cattle—particularly in swampy areas during the dry season—could continue to undermine stability in the region.