Nyirol County commissioner condemns civilian killings in Lankien

Commissioner says elderly men and women, children, and people living with disabilities were among those killed during the violence

By Riak Chol

The Commissioner of Nyirol County, Peter Gatkuoth Koang Dhuor, has strongly condemned the killing of civilians and widespread destruction in Lankien, saying unarmed residents have been deliberately targeted since February 7, 2026.

In a statement dated February 16, the commissioner said elderly men and women, children, and people living with disabilities were among those killed during the violence.

He confirmed that homes were burnt, families displaced, and key public infrastructure destroyed, leaving many residents sleeping in the open.

“I speak today not on the rumours or third-hand reports. I speak about what I know. I speak about what has happened to our people in Lankien since February 7, 2026,” he said.

According to him, the civilians affected were not involved in armed conflict but were ordinary residents, including farmers, parents, and children.

“Lankien is not a battlefield. It is a home,”he said.

The Commissioner emphasized that the town serves as a center for education, trade, and community life.

Koang condemned the violence, arguing that no authority has the right to use weapons against unarmed civilians.

The commissioner called for the immediate protection of remaining civilians, full accountability for those responsible at all levels of command, and urgent humanitarian assistance for displaced and wounded residents.

“Justice must not be selective, and it must not be delayed,” he said.

He expressed hope for the return of peace to Lankien and the entire country.

Lankien has been at the centre of renewed fighting in recent weeks between government troops and opposition forces.

Early this month, medical charity, MSF (Doctors without Borders) announced that some of its staff went missing after air strikes hit one of the medical facilities run by the organization in the area.

Meanwhile, in a separate attack, MSF said its health facility in Pieri, also in Jonglei state, was on the same day looted by unknown assailants, leaving in deplorable condition.

“Our colleagues had to flee with the community and their fate and whereabouts are still unknown,” MSF said.

According to the UN, an estimated 280,000 people have been displaced by fighting and aerial bombardments since December in Jonglei, an area that has struggled with food insecurity in the recent past.

Reckoning on attacks in recent past, MSF said it has experienced eight targeted attacks in South Sudan last year, forcing the closure of two hospitals in Greater Upper Nile and suspension of general healthcare activities in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Central Equatoria states.

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“I speak today not on the rumours or third-hand reports. I speak about what I know. I speak about what has happened to our people in Lankien since February 7, 2026,” Commissioner of Nyirol County, Peter Gatkuoth Koang Dhuor, said.