Gunmen kill 4 children in Jonglei’s Bor
By Philip Thon Aleu
August 21, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – Four children aged below 12 were killed and two other people wounded following an attack by armed men between Nile River tributaries in Pariak on Bor – Juba road on Thursday night, Sudan Tribune witnessed.
When the bodies were transferred to Pariak, 20 miles on Juba road from Bor town, chief Bheer Ngong-Majut told Sudan Tribune that “there is event” to believe that Mundari where behind the attack.
“We are stay with Aliap [a neighbor on the other side of the Nile] but we have no problems,” he said. Mr. Bheer further said the governments of Jonglei and Central Equatoria states would be given first chance to address the issue if peace signed between Mundari and Dinka Bor 18 months ago is to hold.
“We cannot honor peace here and being disobey there,” he said, adding “what sort of deal is it?”
There is no immediate reaction from Juba, the seat of Central Equatoria about the claims.
But Mundari and Aliap of Lakes State are engaged in fighting over cattle in recent days though the conflict is quietly unreported.
Eyewitness at the other side of the river where the pastoralists are contesting over cattle ownership says the feuding is escalating and more likely spreading to Bor territory.
The gunmen where using a boat when they engulfed the family and killed relatives. The identity of the victims is not immediately availed to the press in accordance to the custom here.
The deceased remains where carried to home for burial using local made boats. Relatives yell in pain and misery for the lost of teenagers.
Intertribal conflicts are common in south Sudan given huge control of arms by civilians. Bor and Mundari tribes reached a peace deal in January, 2009 after fierce fight where ten of people were killed in attack and retaliatory incidences. It is feared that this assault could be a new page of conflict.
(ST)