Senior army officer killed in ambush in Rumbek
September 14, 2014 (RUMBEK) – A senior officer from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) has been killed in an attack on Saturday by unknown gunmen in Lakes state’s Rumbek East county.
Police say Colonel Yol Muordit Dhel, who bears the traditional markings similar to those of Cueibet youth, was mistakenly shot without being questioned by his assailants.
His bodyguards, Captain Deng Yol Makuac and Sergeant Hol Kang, were also killed in the attack, which occurred in Pacong payam (district), about 20km from Rumbek Central county. No suspects have been arrested in connection to the attack.
In separate incident last Thursday, the son of late paramount chief Apereer Chut Dhuol was killed in Cueibet county’s Mayath payam.
Matur Apereer Chut was among five people killed after suspected armed Gok-Dinka pastoralists ambushed cars en route from Western Bahr el Ghazal capital Wau to Rumbek.
Laat Manyang Kariom, Khamise Tuol Malual and two others who are not identified were also killed.
The killings are believed to be in revenge for May clashes with Pakam pastoralists in which more than 200 people of the the Gok Dinka died.
No suspects have been detained in connection to last Thursday’s attack.
The incident has sparked revenge attacks in Pacong payam, with youth stopping cars travelling from Juba and passing through the district to check for anyone bearing the traditional marks of Cueibet youth.
The criminal investigation department (CID) in Rumbek have confirmed the incidents.
It says the state government has become increasingly unpopular among local residents, who often impede investigations into crime-related matters.
Police say killings of high profile targets, including senior government officials, are also on the rise in Lakes state capital Rumbek.
Last Wednesday, Lueth Turic, the deputy director of Lakes state’s traffic police, was killed after being attacked by a group of unknown gunmen at his house in the Chumchok residential area. The suspects remain at large.
Traditional chiefs, students and activists have called on president Salva Kiir to remove military caretaker governor Matur Chut Dhuol, who has been heavily criticised over his harsh security measures. However, so far public demands have been overlooked.
Insecurity has continued to plague Lakes state over the past week, with dozens of people killed in cattle raids and inter-clan clashes.
Police insist that young people and the wider public refuse to share information with them, blaming the poor relationship between the administration and the people of Lakes state.
(ST)