South Sudan: Over 350 killed in Tonj, as army downplays numbers

KUAJOK – At least 354 people have been killed during clashes between South Sudan army and heavily armed civilians in the country’s Warrap state, several local government officials told Sudans Post this afternoon.

This afternoon, army spokesman Major General Lul Ruai Koang said, however, in a statement extended to Sudans Post that the total number of those killed in the fighting which began on Monday afternoon, was much lower than that.

Lul said the total number of those killed was 127 including 82 civilians and 45 members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) which is making a disarmament campaign in the violence-hit state.

However, speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Makuei Mabior, a local government official in Tonj East County said the death toll was over 350 including 154 members of the South Sudan army, saying reports being disseminated by the army spokesman were not true.

“As of this afternoon, 354 people have been killed since yesterday. 154 are from the civilians and 200 are from the SSPDF. So, the information being disseminated by the spokesman of the SSPDF Lul Ruai Koang is not true that only 120 something people died,” Mabior said from Tonj.