Jonglei State clash leaves peace mediator dead
A community head chief on a peace mission was killed during recent clashes in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, a county official said Tuesday. The incident was reported from Uror County, where local security conditions have remained volatile in recent days.
Duk County commissioner identifies the victim
John Chatim Ruei, the Duk County commissioner, said Moses Machot Gierkuach, head chief of Panyang Payam in Duk County, was killed in Yuai town on January 2. The death occurred amid fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the SPLA-IO, according to Ruei.
Peace mission between Duk Dinka and Uror Lou Nuer
Ruei told Radio Tamazuj that Gierkuach had travelled to neighbouring Uror County days earlier to mediate between the Dinka community of Duk and the Lou Nuer community of Uror. Local officials presented the trip as part of community-level efforts to reduce tensions through dialogue.
Unclear circumstances as officials cite crossfire risk
“It’s likely that the chief was killed in crossfire. However, we can’t rule out the possibility of assassination,” Ruei said. He described the death as a significant loss for local peacemaking, while stressing that the precise circumstances of the incident remain uncertain.
Body buried in Yuai amid ongoing insecurity
Because of continued insecurity, Ruei said Gierkuach’s body was buried in Yuai, the headquarters of Uror County. He added that the remains have not been transported to the chief’s home area, reflecting the practical constraints imposed by the current situation.
Yuai falls as SSPDF and SPLA-IO fighting intensifies
The clash was reported as SPLA-IO forces captured Yuai town from the SSPDF. The opposition group recently seized Yuai and the Waat garrison as well, which officials described as an intensification of fighting in the region. SPLA-IO officials in Yuai could not immediately be reached for comment.
Traditional chiefs’ role in local peace and governance
For more than a decade, Ruei said, Gierkuach worked as a peacemaker between communities. In South Sudan, traditional chiefs are widely seen as primary facilitators of local peace and dialogue, with authority rooted in customary law and community recognition. Their role is formally acknowledged under the Local Government Act (2009).