By Hou Akot Hou
Police in Warrap State have confirmed that two people were killed and four suspects arrested following an elopement incident that turned violent in Tonj South County on Monday.
Brigadier Marko Mawien Madut, the police inspector in Tonj South, explained that the conflict began after a young man, identified as Malok Majok Maker, eloped with an 18-year-old girl.
“What happened in the first place is that Malok Majok Maker eloped with an 18-year-old girl and ran away with her,” Madut said.
He explained that the girl’s brother, Machar Kuoc Dhieu, retaliated by attacking the eloper’s close friend, Kuel Kuel, whom he accused of knowing the couple’s whereabouts.
“He killed Kuel Kuel, and the eloper together with the girl remain at large,” Madut added.
Madut added that another death occurred during a police search for suspects who had armed themselves and fled into the bush.
Security forces exchanged fire with the group, resulting in one suspect being killed and four others apprehended.
“When we sent forces to pursue them, they resisted after killing the accomplice of the man who ran away with the girl. In the exchange, one suspect was killed and four were arrested,” Madut noted.
The police inspector urged communities to resolve marriage disputes through lawful and peaceful means rather than resorting to elopement or violence.
“It is always paramount to use peaceful ways of making family unions or marriages instead of running away with other people’s daughters. Now see how deadly it has become,” he stated.
Madut warned that the search for the remaining suspects would continue until justice is served.
“No stone will be left unturned. Their families are known, and this could become a long-standing problem if not contained. We want to address it through the rule of law,” he emphasized.
Marriage-related conflicts remain a recurring source of armed violence in Greater Warrap and other cattle-keeping communities in South Sudan.
Despite ongoing disarmament efforts and the enforcement of a state of emergency, the government continues to struggle against such incidents, which undermine peace and stability.