Warrap governor condemns tribal clash over grazing lands

By Ngor Arol Garang

August 23, 2009 (KADUGLI) — The Governor of Warrap State, Tor Deng Mawien has today, condemned tribal clash over grazing land in the state.

Some 30 people have been killed and at least 15 women and children abducted following clashes between two clans of Dinka tribe in Tonj area of Warrap state in southern Sudan. The four-day fighting erupted between Luac Jaang and Awan clans over the control of grazing area.

Governor Mawien who was speaking from Juba said it is unfortunate that such tribal fighting occurred in his absence to attend 7th governors’ forum in Juba but still he believes state security controls the situation.

The Governor said he had instructed his administration to instantly pay full attention to so as to avoid spilling over to other areas.

He added that such incidents are often instigated by those who see no far beyond their villages to take lives of innocent women and children.

Asked what actions has his government taken to revert the situation to normalcy, he said, the joint SPLA and police forces have already since Monday been dispatched to the area. “They are on the ground with mandate to hunt those behind the killing of 30 people,” he said.

Similarly, Speaking from Wau, Wek Agoth, small arms collection officer at the state DDR commission office said that the fighting erupted between Luac Jaang and Awan clans of Warrap State over the grazing allegedly believed to have been entered by Awan without prior notice to Luac.

The clashes started on Saturday 8 till Tuesday night yesterday 11. Women and children cut up in this clash between the two warring clans suffered most, he stressed.

(ST)