Lakes: Clashes leave three dead in Rumbek East

April 2, 2013 (RUMBEK) – At least three people died after clashes between inhabitants of Rumbek East county in South Sudan’s Lakes state and the army in Western Equatoria’s Mvolo County, officials said.

The incident reportedly erupted after Western Equatoria authorities sent an organised South Sudan army (SPLA) force into Nuta-Abyei cattle camp located Rumbek East, to track cattle stolen from Mvolo.

“What caused [the] soldiers to open fire on citizen was not clear,” David Marial Gumke, the Rumbek East County commissioner told Sudan Tribune.

Among the dead, Gumke said, were two girls and a man.

“Lakes state government will undertake serious measures to bring those culprits to book. This incident was not good, [but] we will see what steps to take,” he stressed.

However, Phillip Aguer, the SPLA spokesperson said the army’s role is to protect civilians and their properties as mandated by the constitution.

“The role of the army is very clear. We cannot kill the very people we are supposed to protect as part of our constitutional mandate,” Aguer said by phone.

Since it’s independence in July 2011, South Sudan has largely been unstable with most parts witnessing inter-clan clashes, cattle raids and violence. This year, the United Nation estimates that violence-related incidences could displace more than 200,000 people in the country.

(ST)