Intercommunal clashes kill 71 people in South Sudan
Intercommunal clashes in Rumbek, South Sudan, have resulted in at least 71 deaths as government forces work to regain control of the town. The violence occurs amidst a fragile political transition as the country prepares for its first national elections.
Why it matters
The ongoing instability in South Sudan threatens the peace process and the success of upcoming national elections following years of civil war.
Government security forces regain control of Rumbek town after outsiders attempted to take control of the area.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info South Sudan's President Salva Kiir [File: Andy Wong/Pool via Getty Images] By AFP Published On 10 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026 Intercommunal clashes have killed 71 people in South Sudan’s town of Rumbek, in Lakes State, the caretaker government said in a statement.
“According to initial security reports, approximately 71 people were reportedly killed,” including four soldiers, the South Sudanese interim Ministry of Information said in a statement on Friday. The exact number of fatalities has yet to be verified.
According to AFP, witnesses said a group of people from outside Rumbek tried to take control of the town and briefly succeeded. The attackers withdrew when police and military reinforcements arrived. Two witnesses said the fighting moved outside the city limits.
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