Dozens dead in Lakes State clashes
The Rumbek East County Commissioner, David Marial Gumke, disclosed that 21 people were killed and 14 wounded in Cueibet and Rumbek East counties.
In Rumbek North County, 24 people were shot dead and 17 wounded in fighting between Dinka tribes during a cattle raid.
The two clashes that took place separately on 9 June left a total of 45 people confirmed dead and 31 wounded.
Youth from Gony and Thiyic Dinka groups have been locked in bloody conflict for 15 years. Gumke said the solution to the clashes is a comprehensive disarmament throughout the state.
There has been on-and-off fighting between young men.”
There has been on-and-off fighting between young men,” said Marik Nanga Marik, spokesman for the Lakes State government.
Nanga said three children were among the dead. Two boys and one girl, aged 16, nine and ten respectively, were shot while sleeping.
Their father, Malieny Makum, said, We were attacked about 12:00 AM. My two sons and one girl were killed on the spot.”
Fighting in Southern Sudan, usually over resources such as land, cattle and water, often occurs in a cycle of revenge-based attacks that compound the pressures on already dire humanitarian situations.
A series of retaliatory raids began in early March between rival ethnic Dinka groups, sparked by arguments over cattle.
Nanga has condemned rampant killing in the state and urged youth and elders to initiate peaceful dialogue in the communities.
Some of the wounded were treated in a hospital.Isaac Mayom Malek, commissioner of Cueibet County, said youth carried out a revenge cattle raid attack in Rumbek North County. He confirmed 15 people dead, four wounded and 17 missing.
Mayom added that the villages of Makuac, Ayen and Kar were burned to ashes by youth from Rumbek North County, putting many more lives at risk.
He said he has requested humanitarian assistance from the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.
Peter Makuei Tinyjok, a Rumbek North County official, said 300 cattle were raided and 60 other cattle shot dead by the youth from Cueibet County.
Night attacks have been common between the people of Rumbek Central County and the communities of Cueibet county. The loss of life will add a mournful dimension to the region’s celebration of independence in a few weeks’ time.
