12 people killed in fight over cattle in S. Sudan’s Lakes
By Manyang Mayom
March 1, 2010 (RUMBEK) – Pastoralists from the counties of Yirol East and Yirol West resumed deadly cattle raiding from Friday until Sunday, February 26-28, 2010, resulting in 12 people dying in the clashes and 24 people confirmed seriously wounded, according to a Yirol West County hospital official.
An unconfirmed report from Yirol East County indicated that an additional 10 people were killed and 3 wounded.
Fighting began on February 26 at Ahan cattle camp when Yirol West County youth organized an attack against rivals of Yirol East County; the reason behind the attack was cattle raiding which had been ongoing between the counties’ youth since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.
Intensive fighting continued for three day at places including Pagaru, Pankar and Ahan cattle camp.
Yirol West County confirmed that 12 people were killed including a teacher who was shot inside Yirol West County airport yesterday, February 28, as revenge carried out by annoyed youth of Yirol East County.
Lakes state Deputy Governor and Minister for Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency Lt-Col David Nok Marial was present at a confrontation between pastoralists to impose calm on the civilian population, but his intervention yielded no calm. Police forces were brought to the battlefield but youth overran them. South Sudan’s government is reported to have sent in reinforcement troops to control the town.
Mou Magok, who witnessed one fight in Pagarau said that the fight took place in Pagarau and Kap, and the death toll was 3 killed and 25 wounded on the side of Yirol West youth. A professional teacher was killed yesterday at Yirol airstrip by unknown gunman and 2 were also killed at Aluakluak, he said.
The deputy governor held a security meeting in Yirol West County on Monday afternoon. He reported the number of casualties from Yirol East County at that security meeting.
(ST)