UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
August 20,2011 (JUBA) – The UN mission in South Sudan on Saturday said that at least 58 people have been killed in fighting in Jonglei state, the latest sign of instability after South Sudan seceded from the rest of Sudan in July.
Sudan Tribune reported on Friday that local officials estimate that over 600 people have died in clashes which broke out on Thursday between the Murle and Luo Nuer ethnic groups over cattle raiding and other disputes.
A UN spokesperson in Juba told Reuters that in the two locations the UN had visited 58 people had been killed although he said that there were many more areas that have not yet been reached.
“There were around 28 casualties at one location and 30 at another site. We also witnessed a number of burnt Tukuls (huts),” the UN spokesperson said.
A group of officials from Jonglei told Sudan Tribune that the clashes in Uror county had resulted in 640 deaths, 861 people sustaining injuries, the kidnap of 208 children, the arson of 7,924 houses and the theft of 38,000 heads of cattle.
The cattle raid and attack was a consequence of poverty and competition over resources Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang told the BBC.
“People need cattle for their own survival, for food security and for marriages – and there is competition over land and water resources, because of underdevelopment,” Manyang said.
The BBC quoted Jonglei officials as putting the death toll at over 500 and the number of children kidnapped at over 200.
The claims have yet to be verified by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMIS). Calm was reported to have returned to the area on Saturday.
The attack by the Murle group against Luo Nuer is thought to be in response to a reciprocal attack in June. Despite a 2005 peace deal that ended South Sudan’s conflict with the north the underdeveloped south has remained unstable.
A high proliferation of small arms among the population left over from the civil war and a cycle of tit for tat cattle raids have blighted South Sudan for the duration of Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended with South Sudan’s independence on July 9th.
Between January and July this year over 330 violent incidents have resulted in the deaths of 2,368 people according to the UN.
Juba consistently accuses Khartoum of arming groups in South Sudan in order to retain control of the 75 percent of oil that it lost when the South seceded. Sudan denies that it assists any armed groups in the territory of its new neighbour.
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Quol Quot
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
It is the UN who goes to the scene of the fighting before our officials. Is the South ruled by the UN now?
I wish I authority to get rid of these big belly leaders who eat and sleep only.
Quol Quot
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
What is the work of the Chief of Police and the minister of interior affairs?
Abyei Soil
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
The only way we should deals with this tit for tat cattle raiding season after season is to create special awareness of danger of keeping cattle only for survival reasons. I objected the policies of encouraging uses of cattle to pay as dowry for marriage. We will not be able to have stability in our country if our local communities do not leave behind the culture keeping of large herd of cattle and focus for education and economical purposes. I need our govt to be positive on this matter by participating to disarms the earless communities who keeps raiding others.
Abyei Soil.
jamuse
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
I can not suggest about Nuer lou devestation because Murle paid them according to their own coin.
Good job.
Tambura
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
As I said many times, using animal as a dowry is going to finish you animals keepers. Animal never created for those thing women never created to be sell for animals, when God created Eve he gave her free to a man. Soon and later your women will suffer because there is time will come your men will never want to marry from your tribe because they don’t have cows for dowry, no man from other tribe will think to marry Dinka or Nuer girl because they don’t have cows. How we are going to unite?you can just come to my village and get women will cost you nothing when our guys can’t get your women officially, is not going to work. I have solution for this when I will become president of south Sudan.I will put law for animals owners they have to have farm for their animals where they have to buy food and to feed it in their farm which will have all modern technology of milking and turn south sudan to best animals products country in the world.Education will be free and compulsory for our children at age six to fifteen parents don’t have to think about school fee they can put in jail if they will not allow their children to go to school I will change all school system make it as Norwegian one where everybody can finish school at age of 20-23 out of those who want to go for high education.That mean after fifteen years you can just study what you want to be,that way no Dinka or Nuer man will keep children taking care of animals, my government will buy all cows from those who can not provide foods water and place for their cuttles. Vote for me you will be proud of your country.
Tambura the next president of south sudan
Cuei Rooi
UN confirms 58 deaths in Jonglei fighting
your question is good man.about the minister of interior affairs where about during the this critical time.i would love to tell you where this guy is.he is on his knee before his lordship Kir begging to be reappointed because i have just learned that the ministers have been sacked till furthers notice.