At least 71 people killed as clashes engulf South Sudan’s Rumbek

At least 71 people, including four soldiers, have been killed in intercommunal clashes in Rumbek, the capital of South Sudan’s Lakes State, according to a preliminary government report.

The fighting began in Nyangkot village on Thursday, where four people were reported dead, before escalating in Rumbek town early on Friday. Residents fled as gunfire spread through residential areas, with some seeking safety in nearby villages.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Information said the reported death toll remained unverified. It said four soldiers were among the dead, including a captain and three non-commissioned officers.

The government deployed army, police and national security personnel, saying they had contained the violence and restored control of Rumbek. Four armed civilians were arrested and four firearms recovered, authorities said.

Officials condemned the violence and urged communities in Lakes State to remain calm and refrain from retaliatory attacks. The government expressed condolences to victims’ families and promised further updates as more information is confirmed.

The clashes highlight persistent insecurity in Lakes State, where cattle raiding, revenge killings and communal disputes have repeatedly fuelled violence.