1000 killed in Lakes State inter-clan fighting since two year

May 8, 2007 (NAIROBI) — The Governor of Lakes state said inter-clan fighting and cattle rustling have hampered the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in state. He further added 1000 people have been killed since two years.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, The Governor of Lakes stat Daniel Awet Akot claims more than 1000 people have been killed in ethnic clashes since the CPA was signed in Lakes state, the Sudan Radio service (SRS) reported.

He said over 500 people have been arrested for “causing insecurity” in the state, among them chiefs who are accused of hiding guns.

Akot said the main challenges to his administration’s efforts to implement the CPA fully are insecurity and an overstaffed civil service. However, he pointed out that security in the state has greatly improved following a recent, successful disarmament exercise.

Lakes Governor of Akot also said that his government has stopped pastoralists from crossing into Western Equatoria state with their cattle to avoid conflict between the farmers there and the pastoralists.

He added that he and the governors of Warrap, Unity, Central Equatoria, and Jonglei states have all deployed security units to patrol their common borders and try to control cattle rustling.

(SRS)