By Yiep Joseph
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has urged the national government to intervene and stop the escalating intercommunal violence in Tonj East.
According to the statement extended to the media, Guang Cong, UNMISS Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political), expressed the need for urgent intervention through measures that can bring the community together to exist peacefully.
“Urgent intervention is needed from the national Government to prevent the conflict from escalating to catastrophic levels and to bring communities together to peacefully resolve grievances,” Cong said in a statement.
The peace mission expressed deep concern about escalating intercommunal violence in Tonj East, which has caused hundreds of deaths, the destruction of homes and widespread displacement.
The Mission urged the country’s leadership to intervene and deploy security services to address the situation.
According to the statement, UNMISS is intensively engaging with state and local leaders to calm the situation and has increased its peacekeeping patrols.
The Mission revealed that checkpoints by armed youth remain a challenge as peacekeepers experience encounters in reaching some of the affected areas.
“While UNMISS is doing its utmost to deter further mobilization and conflict, the Government is primarily responsible for protecting civilians, and we, therefore, encourage,” the statement read.
“The Government to rapidly deploy security services to prevent further violence and create a safe environment for community dialogue and peacebuilding,” Cong added.
Last week, more than 62 people were killed, 30,000 displaced in deadly Clashes between communities in Tonj East County, Warrap State between May 28 and 29, 2025.
Mamer Bath Warrap State Ministry of Information confirmed that those who died include 20 women.
The state government condemned the killings and destruction as acts committed by “enemies of peace” and pledged to pursue justice for the victims.
“The government of Warrap State strongly condemns the killing of innocent people and the destruction of property, We urge both communities to refrain from further escalation and to work towards peaceful coexistence,” he said in a statement.
Governor Magok Magok Deng’s administration has responded by dispatching emergency medical supplies to health facilities in the affected areas.
However, the government has acknowledged that more support is needed and is appealing to both the national government and humanitarian organizations to conduct assessments and provide aid to those impacted.
“The security situation in Tonj East County has now returned to normal,” the statement added. “We are committed to restoring peace and ensuring that those who instigated this violence face justice,” he added.