Clashes kill four people in Jonglei’s Twic East: sources

By Philip Thon Aleu

February 14, 2010 (BOR) – At least four people were killed in inter-sectional fighting over Payam center ownership in Twic East County, Jonglei state last Thursday.

Multiple sources told Sudan Tribune that the clashes between Ayual and Dacuek erupted when both sections claimed Wangulei, the center of Nyuak Payam. The dispute over its ownership has already made it to court, has not been decided on.

The Ayual Community is a group within the Dinka tribe whose geographical area is in Southern Sudan in Central Bor between two major clans, the Kongor and Dacuek.

It is not immediately clear how many people died on each side. There are nine critically wounded who are being treated in Bor Town hospital.

Last year clashes in the same county seven people were killed in intertribal fighting.

Tensions are rising ahead of the ballot, with concerns the contest could boost violence in regions already struggling because of bloody inter-ethnic clashes that killed 2,500 people in south Sudan in 2009.

(ST)