One man shot by men in SPLA uniform in Unity state
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
December 25, 2010 (NYAL-BENTIU) – Two hundred members of a cattle raiding gang, suspected to be from the neighboring Lakes State raided 150 cows from Paliey Payinjiar County, in Unity state at 1AM on Friday.
Local residents and the county’s commissioner have told Sudan Tribune that the cattle raiders were dressed in the uniform of Sudan’s southern army – the SPLA. The Paliey Payinjiar County Commisioner said that the raiders were not part of the southern army but a criminal group based on the border of Unity and Lakes states.
The raiders were pursued by around 20 civilians with only three guns between them but say they encountered around 200 men in army uniforms who exchange fire with them.
One civilian, Biel Machak Riang, was shot on the leg while trying to rescue the stolen told Sudan Tribune yesterday they had shot dead one of the cattle raiders and seriously wounded another of the gang members.
Riang said they managed to returned six cows after exchanging firing each other on Friday afternoon; however the gangs suspected to be soldiers not a merely civilian since all are carry heavy weapons.
Civilians said county authorities say they have complained to Lake state but nothing is being to prevent of punish raids against their cattle in Payinjiar.
Speaking from his hospital bed Raing said, he has witnessed several successful raids from neighboring Lakes state. He said that authorities were always on their neck about local issues but whenever there are cattle raids the county receives no response from the Lake state government in order return stolen cattle.
On December 21 a civilian – Gatmai Kuol Laak – was been murdered by the SPLA force in Payinjiar County because he was suspected of stealing cows from Lake State.
However, Panyijar county commissioner Peter Gai Jaok, accused the SPLA of shooting dead an innocent man, saying that county authorities had found that the Laak was not guilty of involvement in cattle raids.
Jaok also accused the SPLA patrol in his county for acting out a death sentence on the man. He said this was especially bad as the south is approaching a referendum on possible independence from the north on January 9, 2011.
The commissioner also blamed the Lakes state government of not making enough progress demobilization and disarmament.
The three neighboring states of Warap, Unity and Lakes State help a peace conference where they agreed to attempt to bring cattle raiding to an end.
Sudan Tribune was unable to reach the gangs accused of the raid.
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maumau
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform IN Unity state
Too bad for wicked cattle thieves. MAUMAU
Peter Nhiany
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform IN Unity state
This is pathetic. Why are the government of both sides do not cooperate and carry out extensive investigation to find out the source of this unacceptable cattle raiding. Our people should under from their feet for better future and creation of peaceful neighborhood between our communities. The government of Lake States should take active role in bringing this issue of insecurity to an end. This could undermind peace voting on Jan 9th,2011. Ramp up the leadership people and stop sitting on those comfortable office seats for no good.
Peter Nhiany.
Bol Deng
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform IN Unity state
Stupidity is the only challenge that will turn us down.
Cholmaduk
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform IN Unity state
This is brutal. These criminals of cattle raiders,thives are so devastating not only to the unity state,but to the entire region. Even when people are perparing for a historical day in our history,these criminals of cattle raiders still act violently.
Rev John Khamis Kamunde
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform IN Unity state
CATTLES, cattle owners,cattles raiders,cattle bla-bla will be a stambling-block towards our freedom.
You may disagree or agree with me but this is the fact.
Southerners was suporse to forget anything at this crucial time and focust all our mind for referendum.
SOUTHERNORS,history will jurge us, lets warch carefuly.
I stronly condemn this act,and urge our government to be vigilant not by too murch talk,but by action to prevent this movement.
What will happen if we will be going to vote while some of us will be engaging in cattle raids????????????.
Rev Kamunde.
Paul Ongee
One man shot by men in SPLA uniform in Unity state
Why cattle raiding at this time? Is cattle rustling more important than approaching referendum on January 9, 2011? And why are they well equipped and also in military (SPLA) uniform? Security authorities need to step up effort to enforce security in every state, County, Payam, and Boma.
GOSS President has repeatedly warned of insecurity especially before, during or after the forthcoming historic referendum. We don’t need to wait for warning from the GOSS President. Every patriotic Southerner must pull up his/her socks to detect and report insecurity activity.
However, our security personnel need to work hard to nib insecurity in the bud because some pro-Khartoum elements may not be on the same referendum board so long as they keep getting bonus from Khartoum who does not care about the freedom of Junubin. Khartoum often reminds us about tribal conflict and cattle rustling more than its commitments to get this referendum held on time in a free and safe environment.
Paul Ongee
Khartoum, Sudan