JUBA – South Sudan’s army has defended its limited deployment during deadly communal clashes in Rumbek, saying it had fewer troops because Lakes State had no rebel forces, after armed civilians overwhelmed government forces.

Major General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), told reporters on Thursday that armed youths entered Rumbek in large numbers, outnumbering government forces. He said soldiers were killed while trying to intervene.

“We had security forces, but we were overwhelmed. They have their armed youth, called Gelweng (Protect the cow), which in our place we call Jaj Mabor (White Army),” Koang said.

“The Gelweng entered the town in large numbers, while our forces were few because Lakes State has no rebels. Our forces tried to intervene, but they too became casualties.”

The clashes involved armed youths from the rival Nyang and Pakam communities in and around Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, on October 8 and 9. The violence began in Nyangkot village, on the outskirts of Rumbek Central County, before spreading into the town early Friday, forcing residents to flee.

Koang did not specify how many troops were stationed in the state or how many reinforcements were sent. He said the situation is now fully under SSPDF control following the deployment of additional forces.

Koang also disputed the national information ministry’s preliminary death toll of 71, saying information obtained directly from security personnel and commanders on the ground put the number killed at 40, including between 10 and 11 members of the organized forces.

“I personally got in touch with our security forces and the commanders on the ground, and they told me the number was 40, including around 10 to 11 from the organized forces, SSPDF and the rest,” he said.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in a statement on October 13, cited state authorities as reporting 60 deaths and 78 injuries from the clashes. It said about 500 families had been temporarily displaced.

The casualty figures have not been reconciled publicly. Koang put the death toll at 40, compared with the ministry’s preliminary figure of 71 and the 60 deaths cited by UNMISS from state authorities.

The clashes reflect persistent intercommunal insecurity in Lakes State, where disputes involving cattle and land, as well as revenge killings, have repeatedly fueled violence between armed youths.