Skirmishes in Pibor county not political, officials say
January 6, 2016 (BOR) – A former captain in the David Yau-Yau led South Sudan Democratic Movement (Cobra-faction) said recent clashes in Pibor county were non-political.
Those involved, he said, used sticks during what he described as a “cultural test”.
“This fighting between these groups took place, on 3 [January] far from Pibor town, and by 4 [January] the fighting also erupted at the other side of the river not far from town. I was told that people were killed in this fighting, and they were using sticks. Some elders from elderly groups who tried to disperse them fired up, and this caused panic in town”, he said by phone.
A spokesperson for the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday confirmed clashes between the two groups in Pibor, but said injuries sustained resulted from gunfire.
“The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that sustained gunfire took place earlier yesterday, 4 January, in Pibor town in Jonglei state. The Mission is receiving reports that fighting took place between the Lango and Bototh groups (two ethnic groups)”, said Dujarric.
“The Mission separately reports that tensions between the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A)-Cobra Faction and Sudan People’s Liberation Army have decreased in Pibor over the weekend. UNMISS observed a limited number of open shops in Pibor market”, he added.
Meanwhile, officials from the Greater Pibor Area, formerly headed by Yau-Yau have downplayed reports alleging the build-up of military tension in Pibor in recent weeks.
(ST).