Eight killed in Unity state border attacks
November 19, 2013 (BENTIU) – At least eight people were killed in three separate attacks carried out last week in Unity state’s Abiemhnom county, authorities told Sudan Tribune.
A committee, comprising of two county commissioners, the deputy army commander and police commissioner has been formed to investigate the matter. The five-member body is headed by the state security advisor.
Peter Dak Khan, the Mayom commissioner said the incident has created fear among traders crossing into South Sudan from the north.
“Somebody who calls himself Ayuel Kiir claimed to [be] responsible for those attacks because he is not happy with the way Misseriya who had an agreement with the community of Mayom to pass through Mayom. That is what he claims”, said Khan.
The commissioner, however, stressed that all efforts were underway to bring the culprit and his accomplices to justice.
“Ayuel is from Abyei so we don’t what were the motives for him to attack innocent people who are doing their own business”, he said.
He [Ayuel] has declared himself responsible for the attacks, and I believe the government will take measures to bring him to book, added the commissioner.
As part of its intervention, Khan said some forces will be sent to the border to monitor traders’ movement to ensure their safety as they enter South Sudanese territories.
“The reason why I came to Bentiu is to participate in the security meeting, where we will analyze this situation and we will come out with a resolution that will actually reduce or prevent future attacks”, he told Sudan Tribune in an interview.
In 2012, Mayom head chiefs from South Sudan and their Messeriya counterpart from neighbouring Sudan signed a series of agreements on cross-border grazing, which offered free trading along their common borders.
The agreement between two communities also paved ways for Sudanese traders to smuggle more goods into South Sudan.
During rainy season, for instance, Unity state was cut off from goods supplied through the country’s capital, Juba, leaving traders with the only route that connection to South Kordofan state.
James Koang Chuol, the SPLA fourth division commander confirmed the attack, adding that a soldier was killed in an ambush unknown people carried on Saturday.
The perpetrators, he said, did not target the army, but traders who usually smuggle goods into South Sudan.
“You know the roads is not officially open it just they are smuggling from the north toward the south , so for us an authorities together with third division we have already put some measures by controlling for those who enter the south for their safety”, said Chuol.
The senior army official, however, reiterated the military’s commitment to protect Sudanese traders interested in carrying out business within South Sudan’s territory.
(ST)
