RUMBEK NORTH—At least three people were killed and two others wounded in Rumbek North County of Lakes State when armed youths clashed during a peace dialogue between the Gak and Manuer sections of the Pakam community.
The violence occurred at about 5 p.m. on Monday at the Malueth Payam headquarters, where community leaders were meeting to reconcile the two sections, according to caretaker county commissioner Buoi Mayek Kuc.
“This incident occurred in my presence at Malueth Payam headquarters while we were together in a peace dialogue between the two sections of Manuer and Gak,” he said.
The caretaker commissioner said the violence started when drunk, armed youth disagreed and started firing at each other. He said one victim was killed in crossfire and that the other was an isolated incident.
The commissioner stated that the victims were from the same community and that authorities are investigating the incident. No suspect has been arrested yet.
Kuc said he has ordered local chiefs to produce the suspects within seven days for investigation.
He blamed alcohol consumption among armed youths for the violence and said the incident involved members of the Pan Adieng and Payueth communities, which fall under the same chieftaincy.
“My message to the people of Rumbek as a caretaker commissioner of Rumbek North County is that I don’t want anybody to sell alcohol,” he said.
Kuc also ordered Payam administrators to detain for three months anyone found brewing alcohol or possessing ingredients used to make it, including yeast and ginger.
The commissioner said the situation in Malueth had calmed and that no further attacks had been reported.
Daniel Laat Kon, chairperson of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Lakes State, condemned the killings and called on the government to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
“As civil society organizations network CISON. We condemned this terrific incident, which claimed lives in strongest term possible. We are asking the government to engage the community to bring the perpetrators to book and they have to be held accountable,” Laat Kon said.
He urged the victims’ families to allow the government to handle the case.
Laat Kon also renewed calls for the disarmament of armed youths in Lakes State, saying widespread firearm possession and alcohol consumption contributed to recurring violence.
“This is when you will not hear these incidents and also regulate alcohol and consumption. These are the contributing factors to the most killings that happen when people are drunk,” he said.
The activist called on authorities to regulate locally brewed alcohol and strengthen civilian protection as the country approaches elections.
“So, there is a need for the government to be vigilant and provide protection to civilians and people of Lakes State,” he said.
Lakes State has experienced repeated deadly intercommunal clashes, including fighting in Rumbek North in September 2025 that killed at least 16 people and wounded 52.
In October 2026, renewed fighting in the Rumbek area killed 60 people and wounded 78, according to state authorities, while about 500 families were temporarily displaced.
