18/08/2026
Peace First, Sanctions Later; Ustaz Santino Wol voiced on the Cuei-Bet vs Twic Mayardit Incident in the Bahr El Counties Tournament
By; Santino Wol aka Blu Dog
The recent confrontation between Cuei-Bet Football Team and Twic Mayardit Football Team during a Bahr El Counties Tournament, BCT, match in Juba is deeply regrettable. What should have been a celebration of talent and community has instead become another reminder of how quickly sport can be overtaken by division.
For many years, football tournaments organized in Juba have served a purpose beyond competition. "Most football tournaments in Juba aim at alleviating social conflicts, building unity and upgrading sports potentials among young people towards their future." That founding objective must remain central to how we respond to this incident.
The decision to suspend the Cuei-Bet Team from BCT activities following the Sunday clashes with Twic County was taken, understandably, to restore order. However, "suspending CUEBET TEAM from BCT activities as an intervention to the Sunday clashes with Twic County is rather a resting solution. "Administrative measures alone do not address the underlying tensions between communities.
If no further steps are taken, "the team of these two sisterly counties may remain hostile to each other. "Such an outcome would undermine the very spirit of the tournament and set a poor precedent for youth engagement in sports.
Therefore, I propose a two-pronged approach grounded in dialogue and accountability.
First, "negotiations between sports staff of the two counties" should be convened without delay. Representatives of team management, tournament organizers, and community elders must meet to establish clear codes of conduct, mechanisms for conflict de-escalation, and commitments to mutual respect on and off the pitch.
Second, following those discussions, due process must be observed. "Judgement and legal punishment" should be applied to any individuals found culpable for acts of violence or incitement during the incident. Without accountability, any resolution will lack credibility and will fail to deter future occurrences.
Sport is one of the few platforms that still bring our young people together across county lines. To preserve it, we must insist on "Peace first, measurements after." The BCT, and similar initiatives, can only succeed if they are anchored in reconciliation, discipline, and a shared commitment to unity.
In my view, this approach "can resolve some parts of this problem" and help restore public confidence in community sports. The goal is not to punish communities, but to protect the space where our youth learn teamwork, respect, and national cohesion.
Let us use this moment to reaffirm that the field is for competition, not confrontation.
~Ustaz Santino Wol Aguer,
Former Warrap state youth Chairman
