Sunday, March 04, 2012

30 People Killed in Attacks in South Sudan's Jonglei State

South Sudan: 30 People Killed in Fresh Attacks in South Sudan's Jonglei State

3 March 2012
Sudan Tribune

Bor — At least 30 people are confirmed dead and more than 15 injured in fresh clashes between youth of Lou Nuer and Murle ethnic groups in Nyirol county since Friday, said the county commissioner.

Nyirol county commissioner, Kuach Duoth confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the attackers were cattle-rustling members of the Murle ethnic group.

"A huge number of Murle youth attacked on Nyuon cattle camp. They killed about 30 young men, wounded 15 and made away with 15,000 heads of cattle", Duoth said.

He claimed the soldiers of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in Nyirol were informed about the assault but refused to intervene.

Duoth said, civilians were preparing to hand over their guns to the government forces as they expected the protection of South Sudan's armed forces who are present in the state.

A state-wide disarmament programme began on Thursday.

The commissioner said the fighting was still going on Saturday evening in Akobo west, "trying to enter their land with cattle", according to Duoth.

He said his request for tracks to go and collect wounded was turned down by the SPLA forces in his county headquarters.

The SPLA officers in the area were not available to comment on these allegations.

Duoth accused his counterpart, commissioner of Pibor, Joshue Konyi Irer, of having denied the involvement of his youth in the attack saying he heard his statements over the local UN radio on Saturday morning.

Deployment of the forces has started

Jonglei state governor, Kuol Manyany, on Thursday announced the deployment of troops to carry out the long awaited disarmament in the state.

In his meeting with the SPLA commanders in charge of division eight in Jonglei, Kuol told the journalist that forces has started moving to Buma in the far east of Pibor and will be deployed in the state before the exercise begins.

"I have been officially told that disarmament is starting today", Kuol said.

It is not clear whether the troops who are still moving to their areas of operation will actually start the real exercise within the week.

"We are just waiting, it is not yet started", Kuol added.

"I have briefed the chiefs and the commissioners who came here yesterday to sensitize and inform their people about disarmament so they hand over their guns to SPLA", he continued.

In a phone call to Pibor, the commissioner, Joshua Konyi Irer said both police and SPLA forces have arrived in the Pibor and are still moving to far places to start the collection of illegal arms.

Another resident from Akobo confirmed to Sudan Tribune the presence of the SPLA troops armed with "heavy guns" in the area.

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