Fighting in Unity State’s Mayom County Left 12 dead and 20 wounded

September 4, 2020(SSNN) — An intra-ethnic fighting in South Sudan’s Unity State between the Bul-Nuer of Mayom county has left at least 12 people dead and more than 20 people wounded.

Speaking on behalf of the South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SSLM/A), Samuel Chan Mut Turoah, confirmed the report saying that the search for more casualties was ongoing at the time he submitted the reported on August 28th, 2020.

“The incident claimed lives of 12 innocent people and 20 more were wounded. However, The search for more casualties is ongoing until the number of missing individuals is declared as nil.” Said Samuel Chan Mut Turoah the Spokesperson of the South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SSLM/A).

According to SSLM/A statement that was extended to South Sudan News Now the incident occurred when a group of armed youth from within Mayom county stormed a traditional ritual that was organized by the spiritual leader, Tangkuany, in Mayom.

Chan said the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SSLM/A, Lt. Gen. Bapiny Manytuil, paid a courtesy visit to Mayom to meet the youth and the spiritual leader.

“The Chairman and Commander in Chief of SSLM/A Gen Bapiny Manytuil paid a courtesy visit to wounded youth and Bul Spiritual Leader famously known as Tangkuany after an incident that had happened as results of an attack by gun men at the Party of the spiritual leader.” Samuel Chan Mut Turoah told South Sudan News Now.

“The wounded were airlifted to Juba from Mayom yesterday and they’re all admitted at Ayii Duang Hospital.” He continued.

He further reiterates that Lt. Gen. Bapiny Manytuil, brother to Dr. Nguen Manytuil, paid his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the victims, their families and friends.

“Lt. Gen Bapiny Manytuil Wejang convey his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the immediate families and friends of those who had lost their lives during the incident.” Chan said.

“He also wishes well all the wounded youth including the spiritual leader (Gatkuany). Gen Bapiny believes that peace will be the only option to bring to an end the illegal use of  small arms in the hand of the youth.” He continued..

It is not clear what exactly transpired but multiple reports speculate that since the arrest of Maj. Gen. Mathew Puljang, Mayom has been divided along sectional lines fitting the Bul-Nuer community against one another.

According to this report, an internal power wrangling among the Bul-nuer politicians and military generals has seen many youth abandoning their positions in the army or taking arms against one another as forces loyal to Gen. Mathew Puljang Top fight forces loyal to Dr. Nguen Manytuil.

According to Small Army Survey reports, Gevernor Nguen Manytuil is trying to consolidate power in Mayom and Unity State which has so far seen disarmament and arrest of top military generals from Bul-nuer starting with Brig. Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang and now Maj. Gen. Mathew Puljang.

The return of Lt. Gen. Bapiny, who is Dr. Nguen’s older brother and senior in term of military ranks into Unity State ranks and files, and especially Mayom, could complicate the power battle among the Bul-Nuer.