Rumbek East appoints new paramount chief

August 13, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The Athoi clan in Lakes state’s Rumbek East county have appointed Tuol Aparer Chut as its new paramount chief days after his father, Aparer Chut Dhuol, was assassinated.

According to the police criminal investigation department (CID), the attack was in retaliation for the death of Maker Mabor, the paramount chief of the Gony clan killed in 2002.

Rumbek East has been the scene of tensions between the Athoi and Gony clans, with the latest incident raising fears of further violence among the two sections.

Crowned by relatives on Wednesday, Chut, 28, is expected to carry out the responsibilities of his father who served as paramount chief since 1987.

There are growing calls for South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, to relieve Lakes state’s caretaker governor, Matur Chut Dhuol, from his position, but these calls have so far been overlooked.

(ST)