Lakes: One arrested over tribal killings
December 20, 2013 (RUMBEK) – A suspect has been arrested in South Sudan’s Lakes state in connection with the death of three Nuer men living in the region, local authorities said.
Majak Ruei Angong, the Yirol West commissioner confirmed the incident, but said he had briefed all organized forces in the county to ensure calm was restored.
“I briefed all forces under my command in Yirol West county. The message is clear, no ethic war. We only need peace and to develop South Sudan without tribalism opportunists aiming to take country into ethnic war”, he told Sudan Tribune.
“What happened in Juba is [a] Juba problem. Those in Juba are fighting just with aim for presidency seat. We must not get involved”, stressed the commissioner.
Angong, however, warned those struggling for power not to abuse the country’s transitional constitution, which has clear guidelines.
“They are putting [a] short cut around the constitution so that they can come into power,” he further said, emphasising the role of the country’s organised forces in protecting its citizens.
The commissioner said one Isaac Deng Abui, a bodyguard to Lt. Col. Bol Majak, was responsible for the death of Col. Biang Gath and two of his bodyguards were killed”, the commissioner said.
“I have captured killer Isaac Deng Abui who killed the officer with his two bodyguards and I sent him Rumbek prison to face law – this is [a] personal case now”, he added.
Abui reportedly confessed to the killing after learning that his close relative was killed during Sunday’s outbreak of violence in the capital, Juba, in which over 500 people reportedly died.
Meanwhile, the governor of Lakes state has warned residents against any form of aggression towards the Nuer community in the state.
“The law will be imposed on that person and urgent measures will be immediately undertaken,” Matur Chut Dhuol warned at a rally.
The conflict, the governor said, mainly arose from misunderstandings within the party and should not be seen as a tribal warfare.
“We must not kill, we are the government and our mandate is to protect everyone not to be harm”, he stressed.
Marik Nanga Marik, a member of the state legislative assembly said there was need for proper exchange of communication with their counterparts in Unity state to avoid the situation from escalating.
“The country is not belonging to the Dinka or Nuer. It belongs to all tribes of South Sudan”, the lawmaker said.
(ST)