Lakes state caretaker Governor Lt. Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor has returned to Rumbek from Juba following his reappointment and swearing in.

His return comes as the state grapples with deadly clashes in Rumbek town that reportedly left about 71 people dead, including four soldiers, according to a preliminary government report published by Eye Radio on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services said the fighting broke out at approximately 4 a.m. on Friday. It added that the exact number of fatalities and injuries had yet to be verified.

The government said it deployed joint security forces comprising the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the National Security Service (NSS) and the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) to contain the violence.

According to the ministry, security forces had brought Rumbek town under government control. Four armed civilians were arrested, and four firearms were recovered and handed over to the SSPDF for further investigation and possible legal action.

The ministry did not identify the communities involved in the clashes or establish their cause. It urged residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory violence, while expressing condolences to the families of those killed.

The reported death toll remains preliminary, with authorities saying further updates would be issued as more information becomes available.