More than 3000 households displaced after Ngok, Twic clashes

Authorities in Warrap State say they have received 3,411 households internally displaced in Twic County after bloody clashes between the Ngok and Twic communities last week.

Ring Deng, the Minister of information of Warrap State told The City Review that the conflict had a far-reaching impact on more than an estimated 20,000 residents from the county.

“If you multiply 3,411 by 6, you would have 20,466 individuals and this was verified by the government and its partners,” Deng said in a phone interview.

He said the displaced persons sheltering in seven areas within Twic County, including Akoc Pannyok, Ajak, Turalei, Aweng, Majo Ngor, Anyen Kuac, Ajak Kuac.

Last week, Paul Malong, the former chief of staff and the chairman of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) warned the government against the conflict between the Ngok and Twic communities.

Malong advised the government to directly intervene by finding a lasting solution to the conflict, stressing that it could derail peace and stability in the two areas.

“The South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) has learnt with great dismay the clashes between Twic Mayardit and Ngok Dinka communities. From our analysis, this conflict has the potential to threaten peace and stability among the two neighbours who have for a long time lived and coexisted peacefully,” he said.

He urged the regime in Juba to be mindful of its national obligations and initiate a quick response so as to prevent the rise of the clashes.

On the 13 of February, the governor of Warrap Lt Gen Aleu Ayieny Aleu issued a warning to people he called “enemies of peace” masterminding violent clashes between Ngok of Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County of Warrap State.

In a statement obtained by The City Review, last week Aleu accused some “external forces” of using the conflict situation to their advantage. The two communities were reportedly fighting over the control of Agok/Anet town.

He said, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my condemnation to this conflict and the enemies of peace on both sides and warn external forces who would exploit this situation to further their sinister agenda on the destruction of an independent Republic of South Sudan,” he said

Aleu urged the two conflicting communities to desist from violence and allow their authorities and the national government to look into the matter and find a lasting solution to the conflict.

“By this statement, I appeal greatly to both communities (Twic and Ngok) as well as their community leaders and politicians to cooperate and halt this senseless and empty violence. Please restrain yourselves and allow the authorities of both areas and the National government to handle the situation and seek an amicable solution to this problem.”

The two communities were involved in deadly clashes from February 10 to February 11, 2022.