Eight killed, 14 wounded in Rumbek attack
March 30, 2014 (RUMBEK) – A spiritual ceremony in Timyic in Lakes state came under attack on Sunday morning leaving eight people dead and more than 14 people with gunshot wounds, according to police sources.
The clashes broke out when the Nyan, Amotnhiim, Panguerkur clans of the Dinka ethnic group attacked the Dhiei clan during a traditional ceremony in Luak-Mayual, 12km from away from Rumbek Central county headquarters.
Lakes state deputy Governor Santo Dumic Koric, said on 26 March that “with all details reported of separate inter-clan clashes, we have recorded 95 people killed” in the latest cycle of violence.
Chol Tong Mayay, Lakes state’s elected governor was sacked in January 2013 after serious clashes between rival groups but his replacement Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol has also been unable to contain the inter-communal violence.
A police source who attended the scene of clashes but wished to remain nameless said the joint attacks were carried out by four clans against the Dhiei at Timyic where a spiritual ceremony was taking place at Luak-Mayual which is traditionally believed a house of God in Dinka culture.
Lakes state government have imposed a dusk until dawn curfew from 6pm till 6am.
Traditional chiefs, students and activists have called on President Kiir to remove Governor Dhuol who has proved unpopular due the harsh security measures he has adopted. So far the public’s demands have been overlooked.
Under South Sudan’s constitution, an election should be held within 90 days, in the event that the president removes a governor from office. However, this is yet to be seen in the three states where elected governors were removed in 2013.
Youth from Lakes state claim they were fed up with the government’s claims and accusations that they are supporters of South Sudan’s former vice-president, Riek Machar, who, since December, has been leading a rebellion against the country’s leadership.
Over the last week insecurity has increased in Lakes state with dozens of people being killed in cattle raids and other violence between rival clans.
Lakes state’s police insist that young people and wider public refuse to share information with them. They often blame the poor relationship between the administration and the people of Lakes state.
(ST)