South Sudan gov’t placed four officials under house arrest for inciting Abyei-Twic violence.

On Tuesday, a senior government official stated that four state government officials had been placed under house arrest for allegedly instigating communal violence between Twic of Warrap State and Ngok Dinka of disputed Abyei.

Deng Tong Goc, Commissioner of Twic County; Mayot Kuinit, Minister of Abyei Administrative Area’s Physical Infrastructure; Chol Pur Chol, Commissioner of Rumamer County, and Akuei Akoon Wel, Commissioner of Abyei Administrative Area’s Alal County, are among those under house arrest.

Dr Dhieu Mathok, Committee Secretary for Aneet Fact-Finding Committee, said that those detained had been suspected of organizing adolescents to reignite fighting in the region.

“The committee notes with dismay that state government officials in both the Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County of Warrap State are complicit in the mobilization of youth that led to the return of hostilities instead of implementing COHA in their role as local government,” Dr Mathok said in a statement released on Tuesday.

According to Dr Mathok, detained individuals are being held temporarily in Juba to prevent the violence from escalating.

“For the reasons stated above, the committee decided to temporarily isolate these leaders in Juba to limit the conflict and save the lives and property of innocent people.”

According to Dr Mathok, those imprisoned will stay in custody until the case is fully addressed.

He also cautioned that anybody suspected of encouraging violence between the two groups would face the consequences.

“These leaders will be imprisoned until the situation is fully addressed. The committee strongly cautions that anybody discovered to be involved in the incitement of violence between Twic and Dinka Ngok will be held accountable.”

One week after three persons were murdered and six others were wounded in the Aneet market shooting in Abyei Administrative Area, President Kiir created an eleven-member commission to investigate.