Mayom commissioner denies aiding youth that attacked police
May 19, 2013 (BENTIU) – Calm has returned along the county border between Koch and Mayom in Unity state when inter-clan fighting broke out between two branches of the Nuer ethnic group last week.
Thirteen civilians and eight police officers died in the fighting according to local officials.
Jageay Nuer residents in Koch county, including some government sources, accused Bol Mayak the Mayom commissioner of mobilising young men from his Bul Nuer ethnic group to attack their area and a police barracks in Buoth Payam [district].
The Mayom commissioner has denied the claims that he was anyway involved in the attacks. He questioned why he would mobilise young to attack members of South Sudan’s police force “my protectors”, describing the allegations as”false propaganda”.
Those linking him to the attack on the police station and killing of civilians were “trying to tarnishing his image in the community”, he said.
“Without my tireless effort to come down talking with people to stop the conflicts, this would have increase tension around which would have worsened current situation of calmness. I serious urge everyone to leave the responsibility to the government and there is no need our people kill themselves with issues of cattle raiding this will not happen I swear”, he told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.
The commissioners of Mayom, Koch and Rubkotna intervenes to help negotiations between the communities, Mayak said.
Commissioner Mayak urged all communities to campaign against cattle raiding, pointing out that he has arrested 51 accused of the vice since he was was appointed in January this year.
“My representation as the county commissioner does not mean to create problems but to implement the rule of laws that the republic of South Sudan mandated me for”, he added.
Commissioner Mayak added that calm had returned to the area the deployment of security forces and that he was sure the incident would not be repeated. He also said that he appreciated the efforts the Koch County commissioner in helping resolve conflict and bring calm to the area.
(ST)