Manyang Mayom
13 June 2011
Rumbek — Conflict in Lakes state has killed 71 people and wounded 36 on 9 June, in what are reported to be cattle-raids.
Conflict in Rumbek East between members of the Gony and Thuyci ethnic groups killed 23 and injured 18, who are receiving treatment under arrest in Rumbek hospital. There was also conflict in which 10 inhabitants of Rumbek North were killed and 14 injured; and 38 inhabitants of Cueibet were killed and four wounded.
The commissioner of Rumbek East county, David Marial Gumke, told Sudan Tribune that “people of two sections of my county have been killing each other in revenge attacks – now the Gony have lost seven people and six are wounded. The Thuyic have 16 people dead and 18 people have sustained wounds.”.
There have been numerous Gony / Thuyic clashes, but this is the most violent of the 14 major incidents since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.
The CPA was signed by North and South Sudan in 2005, ending 22 years of civil war. South Sudan will be officially declared an independent country on 9 July. Bringing cattle-raiding and militia attacks under control will be a significant challenge for the country.
The heads of the Gony and Thuyic gangs involved remain at large.
Gumke said that “this conflict of Gony and Thuyic sections cannot be ignored – they are well equipped militarily and now they have overrun the police – we have a small police force with little police equipment”.
The clashes between Gok ethnic group of Cueibet county and Pakam ethnic group of Rumbek North have seriously affected the residents of Cueibet county. Makuac Deng Malek, Gar and Ayen villages were burnt down in Cueibet by youths allegedly loyal to Rumbek North.
During the skirmish in Rumbek North 10 people died, including three children, 14 people were wounded, over 300 cows were stolen and 60 cows were killed, including five prize bulls.
The commissioner of Cueibet county, Isaac Mayom Malek, told Sudan Tribune that youths from Pagor and Tiaptiap districts of his county carried out revenge attacks in Pakam. Mayom appealed for humanitarian assistance.
Between the 9-12 June, clashes erupted in western and eastern parts of the state capital, Rumbek. There was also a threat from militias: the commissioner of Rumbek North, Isaac Mayek Noah, alleged that a militia helicopter landed in Madol district of Rumbek North
The state government responded by requesting military assistance from Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Sudan People’s Liberation Army troops were sent to Rumbek North on 14 June.
The governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay, has made repeated requests to the Government of South Sudan for equipment and training for his police force so they are better prepared to deal with insecurity.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Lakes State Cattle-Raiding Incidents