SPLA shoot dead civilian in Lakes State

July 18, 2012 (RUMBEK) – Troops from South Sudan’s army – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) – tasked with disarming the civilan population of Lakes State, on Wednesday killed a resident of a village near the Langcok military barracks.

The civilian was stopped upon discovery that was carrying an AK47 machine gun. He was shot dead by SPLA troops while fleeing, after he had placed his weapon on the ground.

The troops responsible have been brought in for questioning by their section commander.

Rumbek Central county’s commissioner, Abraham Mayen Kuc, expressed his regret with regards to the incident and appealed to the SPLA troops to operate within the law.

Lakes state, like South Sudan’s other states, is going through a process of forced disarmament under a directive from the country’s president, Salva Kiir.

After more than two decades of civil war with Khartoum’s forces, South Sudan is awash with small arms. This has led to increased bloodshed in inter-ethnic conflict, cattle rustling and armed insurrection, which in turn has necessitated disarmament.

Student Shot Dead

In a separate incident, a student in the Lakes state capital, Rumbek, was killed on Tuesday night in the Malual-kodi residential area.

Speaking to the media from his office on Thursday, the commissioner for Rumbek Central county, Abraham Mayen Kuc, said that a suspect has been identified and his location has been surrounded by security personnel.

Mayem said that this has been the first murder of a student in the state since the Rumbek-based state government was established in 2005.

(ST)