Kiir directs security organs to maintain order, 5 people killed in Juba
March 6, 2012 (JUBA) – At least 5 people have been killed while 3 others sustained multiple injuries on Monday, two of whom are in critical conditions following eruption of a conflict involving two ethnic groups in Juba, authorities told the press on Tuesday.
Government officials including Central Equatoria State governor Clement Wani Konga link the conflict fighting to an incident in which it is alleged that a child belonging to the Nuer ethnic group was killed on Monday.
Officials say that land officers from Central Equatoria State were attempting to demolish block 107 of the Munuki area of Juba, South Sudan’s capital when the boy was killed.
Juba also witnessed the killing of two military officers one of whom was killed by a colleague after a traffic dispute involving an Ethiopian foreign national.
against a local allegedly identified as a member of Bari ethnic group but in which the deceased is alleged to have sided with the foreign national with threat and attempt to shoot but shot dead before by his counter prior to firing at Malakia residential area in Juba on Monday.
The other was killed while returning to his residence from the military general headquarters at Bilpam on Tuesday evening by unknown gunmen.
Speaking at a press briefing shortly after briefing President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday over incidents which took place in Gudele residential area and Kameru village over land disputes, Minister of interior, Alison Manani Magaya, president Kiir had appreciated steps taken by his ministry to address the issue but directed security organs to maintain law and order while urging the parties involving the conflict to restrain from violence.
“We have come to meet the president over the incident and to explain to him steps which we have taken to contain the situation. The police and security forces have been deployed to the site. They are in control of the situation, Magaya told reporters”, while admitting that 5 people have been killed and 3 others sustained injuries.
“President Kiir called on the parties clashing over the land to remain calm and respond to the government measures in maintaining order. He directed the authorities concerned to normalize the situation in the area, Magaya said while denying reports claiming that seven people were killed in the clash. This is very unfortunate incident but it is not true that seven people have been killed. Our reports indicate 4 lives have been lost”, Magaya explained.
Minister Magaya called on the citizens who flew from the area to return and start normal life. “There is adequate security now. Security forces have been deployed in that area to support efforts of the state in preventing attacks by any group”, he said.
Governor of Central Equatoria state, Clement Wani Konga at the same briefing announced that the demolition in Block 107 is suspended for a special arrangement to be carried out to relocate those who will be affected by the exercise to a new site and called on the citizens to remain calm and refrain from the spirit of revenge to avoid flaring up clashes between the communities. He explained to the press that the clashes in Gudele and Kameru village came as a result of a land dispute between some individuals of Bari Community of Kameru Village, and some soldiers displaced from new site.
“Let us not politicise this issue. This is an administrative matter. We appeal to our people to understand our position and respond. We have stopped the demolition exercise. It will not continue”, announced Governor Konga
General Salva Mathok Gengdit, deputy minister of interior, said his ministry takes the responsibility to provide adequate security to the residents of the area and urged the state government to resolve the issue amicably with the affected group. “We are providing adequate security to the residents. This is our responsibility, Gengdit said,
(ST)