Three people killed Jonglei’s Pigi attack
November 13, 2009 (BOR) – At least 3 people are dead and 8 others
injured in Pigi County, Jonglei state in twin attacks local
authorities blame on neighboring Shulluk ethnic group on November 8
and 11, 2009.
Jonglei government argues the government of southern Sudan to
intervene since this is an inter-state conflict. An anxious calm
return since November 12 but fears for new attack dangle, a resident
there told the Sudan Tribune by phone Friday.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune in Bor on Friday Pigi Commissioner Santino
Riak Athian says the cause of the attack will be investigated but that
he suspects “political reasons.”
On November 8, armed men – allegedly Shulluk tribesmen, attacked areas
around Sobat River in Atar area leaving 2 people dead and 2 wounded –
including one from attackers in either casualties.
On November 11, twin assaults on both sides of the Sobat River at
about 7:30am killed a director of secondary schools in the County.
Members of organized armed forces from the SPLA and police intervened
to quell the tension but sustained injuries including 2 SPLA and 2
policemen. 3 Shulluk, including 2 seriously wounded, are arrested and
due to assist in investigation according to Commissioner Riak Athian.
Mr. Athian says a new brand RPG7 has being captured and 2 AK47 riffles
from the attackers.
“Their ammunitions look new…and we are suspecting political reason
behind these attacks,” he says.
Commissioner Athian says there has being campaigns over the internet
mobilizing Shulluk “to control our areas. We thought these were not
true.” He says many people have been “dying unknowingly” while in
journeys passing through or near Shulluk’s controlled areas in recent
months.
Sudan Tribune can not independently verify these claims or reach
members of Shulluk community for commends. Atar area, in Pigi County,
is inhabited by members of Dinak Padang.
A source in Pigi County told the Sudan Tribune by phone Friday that
the situation is calm but tense. “You can not guarantee stability at
the moment…because when they attacked, they never informed us first,”
the source, speaking on condition of anonymity says.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday in Bor, Jonglei Gov. Kuol Manyng
Juuk argues the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to intervene.
Fighting over pasture and water is common in the under developed
south. The UN says at least 2,000 people have being killed in tribal
clashes in 2009 mostly in Jonglei state. And about 1.2 million people
are risk starvation in the semi-autonomous south following
displacement by tribal conflicts and poor rains.
(ST)