At least 14 people are feared dead and scores wounded during inter-communal clashes between Gony and Thuyic sections in Rumbek East County of Lakes State over the weekend.

Lakes State deputy governor, Poth Madit Dut, told Radio Tamazuj that the clashes occurred in Aguoc and Manyang-rel cattle camps through Saturday.

"We have no official details of casualties between the two communities of Gony and Thuyic, but I can confirm to you that there was fighting on Saturday in Aguoc and Manyang-rel," Madit said. "What we have now are not the exact details. It is still preliminary information about people killed and the number killed in those clashes is 14 people, and this is from both sides. And the number of those wounded is not yet confirmed because scores of injured people are in the remote villages and have not been taken to hospital.”

According to Madit, before the clashes erupted on Saturday morning, the state government had sent security forces to mitigate the escalation of violence but due to the remoteness of the area and heavily armed youth, the intervention was not effective. 

"I want to appeal to youths fighting themselves to stop these senseless conflicts. If they insist, the current re-energized government of Lakes State will immediately remove the arms from the civilians, which is the only way to bring lasting peace in the communities,” Madit warned.

He said the security situation as of Sunday was calm and stable.

"There is no tension again after yesterday’s (Saturday) fighting. The security situation is calm and everyone is moving freely and security forces have been deployed along the main road to secure freedom of movement from Cueigakteng, Pacong, Malengagok, and Panawach Payams," Deputy Governor Madit said. 

The executive chief of Cueigakteng Payam, Sultan Gor Makuac Kerthith, confirmed that 10 people were killed and 25 wounded from Gony and Dhiei when they clashed with Thuyic and 2 wounded people are in critical condition.

“The wounded were taken to Rumbek State Hospital and some are receiving treatment in Cueigakteng Payam primary health care center. Among the 25 wounded, 2 are in critical condition,” Sultan Makuac said. "I don't know how many have been killed and wounded on the side of the attackers.”

The Paramount chief of Malengagok Payam, Sultan Majak Agok Machol, said that three people have been killed, two from Panyon and one from the Thuyic section, and four were wounded.

"We have three people killed and four wounded in the clashes between Gony and Thuyic, and their allies. The wounded are receiving treatment locally in the remote villages,” Sultan Agok said.

He said there was some tension between the warring Thuyic and Gony on Sunday morning but that they all returned to their respective places in the cattle camps.

Sultan Agok intimated that the number of security forces is not sufficient to control the situation.