Lakes State: Rumbek ambush wounds one, clans clash in Cueibet County
July 3, 2012 (RUMBEK) – A group of people travelling from Rumbek Central County to Maper in Rumbek North County were ambushed on Tuesday, according to local officials, who have blamed armed men from neighbouring Cueibet County, which is also in Lakes state.
The ambush occurred as South Sudan’s Vice President, Riek Machar, headed a delegation to the area from the country’s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) .
Rumbek North County’s official spokesperson, Peter Makuei Tinyjok, explained that the ambush was allegedly carried out by armed men from neighbouring Cueibet County, which is mainly inhabited by the Gok Dinka.
During the surprise attack in Wundhiot boma of Meen Payam, the convoy was sprayed with gun fire. No people have been reported killed although at least one person, Madom Maper Dhieu, was wounded, according to officials.
The ambushers also captured a payam [district] administrator, Abraham Makoi Chawul Pen Agau, who was with the convoy but later released him after he explained his position to his captors.
However, Lakes State’s Minister of Information and Communication, Charles Badiri Mayen, told Sudan Tribune that he had no information about the incident but said that he would look into it.
Cueibet County Clashes
Cueibet County broke into clashes on Monday resulting in two deaths, after a man belonging to the Waat community was allegedly beaten up by youth belonging to the Ayel clan.
The Lakes State has moved a platoon soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army to increase security inside Cueibet town managing to seize five illegal guns. The SPLA is searching for other unauthorised firearms in Cueibet County to prevent violence escalating.
On June 29, Cueibet County commissioner Isaac Mayom Malek issued
local order banning the playing of card games under trees during
working hours. He directed county police to arrest those who violate the order. The county’s youth have also been banned from carrying spears or sticks within the town.
CORRECTION
Contrary to previous reports, the man shot by soldiers on Monday, Makol Mabuoc Nyintok, was not killed but was taken to Rumbek Civil Hospital by a relative on Tuesday with an injured mouth.
The two SPLA soldiers, alleged to have shot Nyintok, have been arrested and are undergoing questioning, security sources say.
(ST)