At least 50 people killed during extended clashes in Rumbek
At least 50 people were killed during several days of heavy fighting in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, officials estimated on Friday.
Governor of Lakes State, Chol Tong Mayay, said 25 people were killed on Friday. Just two days earlier, 25 locals were killed when the Kueth and Ruop sections clashed at Marialbek cattle camp on Wednesday.
Anarchy and chaos rule Lakes State.” Local sources described the official death toll for Friday as conservative. They said at least 35 people died on Friday, including one pregnant woman who was caught in the crossfire.
Anarchy and chaos rule Lakes State. I think someone should be bold enough to take political responsibility on this failure,” Mapuor Malual, a Rumbek resident, said.
Another citizen, Akot Dut Ajieng, urged justice for those behind the killings: Those who plan these deadly attacks should face the full force of the law. Those who killed innocent civilians should be brought to book.”
Abraham Maker Gol, the leader of Lakes State youth in Juba, described Lakes State as failed government and said that people have died due to official negligence. A state of emergency should be declared by the Juba government to dissolve the parliament and the executive, he said.
A week-long curfew has been imposed in Rumbek town starting from 19:00 until 7:00. The governor said the army will patrol the town. He has called on the parliament to create dialogue with the warring communities to stop fighting and bring about peace.
Those who killed innocent civilians should be brought to book.”
Around 80 people have been killed and over 90 others wounded in three rounds of fighting since last November.
In a press statement, the governor assured the business community in Rumbek market that the government is completely in control of the situation. He assured them that their businesses will not be affected in Rumbek town.
Thousands of people have been displaced in Makoi, Makuriric and Jirr villages of Rumbek town. Eyewitnesses described the wailing of women and children in the town of Rumbek where shops closed down for the day and international organisations evacuated their staff to the United Nations compound in Rumbek.
