Writer: Hou Akot Hou
A 50-year-old woman has died in Aweil Town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, after sustaining a fatal head injury while trying to stop a fight between two women over an unpaid debt.
The incident occurred on Monday in the Apada residential area, where two women reportedly quarrelled over a debt of 8,000 South Sudanese pounds.
According to Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Police spokesperson Madut Ngong Aleu, the deceased, identified as Akuol Malual, was attempting to intervene in a dispute between 30-year-old Amou Akok Deng and Akuol Nhial when the situation turned violent.
Ngong said Amou, who was demanding payment of the debt, forcibly took loaves of bread from Akuol Nhial, triggering a physical confrontation.
“When Akuol Malual tried to separate the two, Amou Akok, aged 30, and Akuol Nhial, then Ms Malual, fell and did not recover. She later passed away while being taken to Aweil Hospital,” Ngong said.
He described the incident as surprising, saying Malual sustained serious internal injuries to her head while attempting to intervene.
“What occurred on Monday is something surprising. A 50-year-old woman identified as Akuol Malual was knocked down and sustained fatal internal injuries to her head as the two women were fighting over 8,000 SSP,” Ngong said.
The police spokesperson said a postmortem examination confirmed that Malual had suffered an internal head injury.
Ngong added that police had taken control of the situation after the dispute threatened to escalate further.
He urged members of the public to use peaceful and lawful means to resolve disagreements rather than resorting to violence.
“People have hot tempers to the extent of killing a person. An issue involving 8,000 SSP cannot be equated to fighting. You better open a case with the police or the local chamber of commerce in the market where they operate for their survival,” he said.
The incident has raised concerns over the escalation of minor disputes into violent confrontations, particularly amid economic difficulties facing communities.
Police continue to call on residents to seek mediation, dialogue, and legal channels when resolving disputes to prevent further loss of life.