Armed Duk youth withdraw from Twic East fishing grounds as hostages are released

Tensions between the two communities have escalated in recent months, turning violent along shared border fishing grounds.

By Samuel Yuang

Authorities in Jonglei State say armed youth from Duk County have pulled back from disputed fishing areas in neighboring Twic East County, though officials in Twic East have yet to independently verify the withdrawal.

Tensions between the two communities have escalated in recent months, turning violent along shared border fishing grounds. The clashes have left several people dead and injured, displaced families, and destroyed property. Most recently, youth from Duk’s Hol community seized control of the strategic Aliei fishing village, located near the Twic East County headquarters in Panyagoor.

Duk County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei confirmed on Wednesday that the youth had responded to official appeals and moved out.

“As of the weekend, our youth vacated Aliei and other villages within Twic East County, and are now in the areas of Bothagamy and Lang,” he said. “This is in response to our call, and it opens the way for dialogue.”

He also announced that a man taken hostage during the incursion had been released. “Dut Deng Atem, who was captured, has been handed over to me. I am arranging to transfer him safely to the authorities in Twic East so he can reunite with his family.”

The commissioner rejected claims by his Twic East counterpart, James Magok Mabiei, that the youth were rebels or aligned with armed groups. “This started as a dispute over resources, and later escalated into encroachment and looting — but it is intercommunal conflict, not a rebellion. They are not rebels or SPLA-IO elements,” Chatim stated.

However, Commissioner Magok said his administration cannot yet confirm the withdrawal. “Our people on the ground are still in areas without phone or internet access, so we have no firsthand report that they have left,” he explained. “What I can confirm is that the hostage is safe and in the custody of the Duk commissioner, which is a positive step.”

Magok also emphasized the need for lasting solutions. “We have lived alongside the people of Duk in Panyagoor since 1992. We must sit down and address the root causes of these conflicts through dialogue,” he said.

Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol warned that continued violence is costing lives and livelihoods. He called for the deployment of neutral security forces to act as a buffer, and urged both communities and state authorities to begin formal talks immediately to restore peace and coexistence.

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“This started as a dispute over resources, and later escalated into encroachment and looting — but it is intercommunal conflict, not a rebellion. They are not rebels or SPLA-IO elements,” said Duk County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei.