South Sudan’s Warrap state government officials and security commanders traveled to Rualbet Payam in Tonj North County on Monday on a fact-finding expedition after last week’s fatal skirmishes between government troops and civilians.
After Rualbet youth attacked the SSPDF disarmament forces ordered to reclaim stolen cattle, 18 government officers, including Military Chief of Intelligence Division 11 Lt. Col. Akec Ciman Paac and SSPDF Division 11 Military Chief for Operations Maj. Santino Kuot Kuotdit, died and scores were injured.
The state communications minister, Riding Deng Adiing, told Radio Tamazuj that the delegation is on a fact-finding expedition.
“Today, the acting governor of Warrap state, the commander of the defense force, and the director for national security are in Thiet town of Tonj South County on their way to Rualbet Payam, where the SSPDF battled armed youth last week,” he stated.
“They arrived with tiny troops to replace those who were deployed there for disarmament since the host community no longer trusted soldiers, and the aim is to speak to local people and find out what is causing the conflict,” he continues.
According to Minister Deng, numerous troops were killed while fleeing in response to instructions from their command.
“They (SSPDF) followed and respected their leadership since they were commanded not to react,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Tonj North acting commissioner Bak Ajuot confirmed the visit.
“The government has arrived in Thiet with the intention of seizing firearms from armed adolescents. The identified culprits must also be reported by the local leaders “He said.
Last week, Deng, the state government’s media minister, warned that if the armed youth do not return the seized livestock and surrender their weapons to the authorities, the state government would execute a military operation in the region.
