Clashes over cattle theft leave 4 people dead in Unity State

By Ngor Arol Garang

May 26, 2010 (TURALEI) — Deadly clashes over cattle theft in the southern state of Unity involving forces from the SPLA has left four people dead and others wounded.

This came following reports alleging that armed criminals operating in the territories of Parieng County in Unity State entered the eastern part of Heglig six days ago where a number of Arab nomads of Palata origin were seeking water and grazing lands for a total of 1500 herds of cattle.

The Arab nomads followed the footprints of their cattle to Parieng and subsequently reported the incident to the local authorities for immediate recovery. After having learned the presence of armed criminals in the area, local authorities dispatched police forces to confiscate the stolen cattle from cattle raiders. Clashes occurred as the cattle raiders reacted violently to the police.

Mayik Nyok, a local official from Parieng , told Sudan Tribune that, on Tuesday at 6 am, joint forces from the local police forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA); have twice clashed with cattle raiders in the area, resulting in the death of two cattle raiders, one SPLA officer and one Arab nomad.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, General Kuol Deim Kuol, Spokesperson of the SPLA in Juba, confirmed the clash and clarified that it was not direct fighting between the SPLA forces and the local civilian population.

He added that “the information extended to my office from the SPLA forces in Unity State clearly indicates that our forces did not in any way initiate direct clashes with the local population but responded to a request made by the local authority to help the local police forces recover stolen cattle.”

Describing the whole incident based on information given to him from the field, General Kuol said six days ago, groups of elusive cattle criminals operating in the territories of Parieng County in Unity state entered east of Heglig and stole 1500 herds of cattle from Arab nomads reported to be members of the Palata tribe who were seeking water and grazing lands. When this incident happened, the Arab nomads followed and traced foot prints of their cattle into territories of Parieng and subsequently informed local authorities of the incident.

“The cattle criminals wouldn’t return the cattle when they were caught by the local authorities. Because the police forces were outnumbered, they resorted to requesting support from the SPLA forces .This was how SPLA forces became involved,” explained General Kuol .

“This could have been a force task, but our forces having received a request from the local authorities, had to intervene because it was becoming a security issue,” he added

General Kuol further confirmed that one SPLA soldier was killed along with one Arab nomad and two cattle criminals while an SPLA solider sustained non-fatal injuries.

(ST)