---
title: "Fighting erupts between rival communities in South Sudan's Lakes state"
url: https://newscentral.site/fighting-erupts-between-rival-communities-in-south-sudan-s-lakes-state/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "World"
published: 2026-10-12T17:48:19.000Z
updated: 2026-10-13T03:44:00.763Z
id: ac032a3d-bced-4aaa-ba82-cc5db2a881f3
source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/clashes-rival-groups-central-south-sudan-leave-scores-137201915"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/fighting-erupts-between-rival-communities-in-south-sudan-s-lakes-state/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Fighting erupts between rival communities in South Sudan's Lakes state

Clashes broke out last week in central South Sudan's Rumbek area of Lakes state, leaving scores dead and overwhelming a hospital with wounded people.

The fighting occurred on Friday as government soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers attempted to maintain order, but were unable to prevent the violence from escalating between rival communities.

According to officials, about 70 people lost their lives in the clashes, including four soldiers, although the exact death toll has yet to be confirmed.

Rumbek State Hospital was severely overwhelmed by the influx of patients, with more than 50 wounded individuals arriving at the facility, most suffering from chest injuries. Clinical officer Teran Madit described the hospital as being "overwhelmed" by gunshot patients.

The violence involved armed youths from the Pakam community in Rumbek North County clashing with those from the Nyang community in Rumbek Central County, both part of the Dinka ethnic group.

Disputes over cattle and grazing land have contributed to repeated outbreaks of violence in Lakes state, but the underlying causes of this particular incident remain unclear.

As tensions simmered beneath the surface in Rumbek town, a sense of unease hung over the community. Local medical staff describe chaotic scenes at the Rumbek State Hospital, where patients who had come seeking treatment were forced to flee amid rumors that they might be targeted.

The situation was further complicated by the fact that security forces were outnumbered by armed youths, according to Daniel Laat Kon, head of the Lakes state branch of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization. He witnessed firsthand the chaos as thousands of residents fled their homes in response to the gunfire.

Kon also confirmed reports that soldiers had been killed while trying to repel the attackers, and that he himself had returned home only after the attackers withdrew later that afternoon. The government has since claimed to have regained control over Rumbek town, with troops and police reportedly bringing order back to the area.

Security forces were said to have arrested four armed civilians and recovered four firearms in the process, according to a statement from the ministry urging communities to avoid retaliatory attacks. Meanwhile, U.N. peacekeepers deployed a rapid response force to help deter further fighting and protect local hospital and humanitarian compounds.

As South Sudan prepares to hold its first national elections since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, the country is embroiled in violence between rival groups in central regions.

The dissolution of the transitional government by President Salva Kiir on September 22 has contributed to the insecurity, according to local officials. Key positions such as county commissioners remain vacant due to a delay in appointments. As a result, armed youths have taken advantage of this power vacuum to wreak havoc.

Despite preparations for the elections scheduled for December 22, the ongoing violence has raised concerns about the feasibility of holding free and fair polls amidst the insecurity. The peace agreement signed in 2018 aimed to bring an end to five years of civil war that claimed an estimated 400,000 lives.

---
Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/clashes-rival-groups-central-south-sudan-leave-scores-137201915)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/fighting-erupts-between-rival-communities-in-south-sudan-s-lakes-state/