Three people killed in South Tonj by Lakes youth

October 30, 2015 (WAU) – At least three people have been killed in Tonj South County of Warrap state in what is suspected to be a revenge attack when armed youth stormed the area after crossing from the neighbouring Lakes state on Thursday evening.

The former commissioner of Tonj South County William Wol Mayom told Sudan Tribune on Friday that the town came under heavy attack from all corners in the evening hours at around 6:30 PM by gunmen identified as people from Cueibet County in Lakes state.

“The town was on panic yesterday evening when gun fire erupted at the Tonj main bridge between the policemen and the criminal suspects,” said Wol Mayom. He added that assailants also came from southern-west and the east alike.

“Other two people were killed near a hotel in the central town,” he said.

He further called on the state government to dispatch more troops to reinforces security and protect Tonj South residents.

The former commissioner said the attack has created a panic amongst the residents of Tonj South adding that fear and insecurity have gripped people.

The inter fighting between youth groups in the western South Sudan region of Bahr el Ghazal are part of violence cycles triggered by cattle raiding, robbery and revenge attacks. The region consists of the states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, and Warrap.

It is not clear what impel the Cueibet County of Lakes state to attack Tonj South on Thursday. However it is seen as revenge attack after the killing of two people from Cueibet area near Tonj South.

Wol Mayom called on the local officials in Warrap and Lakes states to agree on the necessary security measures to curb violence and restore peace and security in the region.

“We need reconciliation among ourselves the people Lakes and Warrap states, so that there is a free movement for our citizens,” he said.

The movements between Tonj and Rumbek have been suspended due to the recent increasing insecurity.

(ST)