Murdered senior army officer laid to rest in Warrap state

September 16, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Thousands turned out in Warrap state’s in Alekaguok on Tuesday to mourn the death of Colonel Yol Muordit Dhel, a senior officer with the South Sudanese army (SPLA), who was gunned down on Saturday in Lakes state.

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.

It is alleged that pastoralists believed to be relatives of Lakes state’s military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol were responsible for the attack.

A plane carrying the three bodies arrived in Alekaguok on Monday morning (local time), with thousands gathering to pay their respects to the slain men who were described as champions of their family and the South Sudan’s long liberation struggle.

The bodies were also received by members of the Warrap state cabinet, along with family members and community leaders.

In emotional scenes, women, children and elderly residents collapsed in shock following the arrival of the bodies.

Elders and government officials have urged youth to maintain law and order in the area and not engage in revenge attacks.

Lakes state residents working in Gogrial, Lietnhom and other surrounding areas fled Kuacjok on Saturday in fear of their lives.

Meanwhile, Lakes state youths have accused Dhuol of acting as the ring leader of a cycle of inter-clan revenge attacks in the Rumbek area.

The acting governor of Warrap state, Akec Tong Aleu, has urged relatives of the deceased to remain calm, while calling on Lakes state authorities to hold those responsible accountable.

“We need you, the family of [the] late Yol Muordit [Dhel], to have peace and respect to all Agar son and daughters working in this state – no revenge needed,” he said.

“Give us [a] chance to persuade [the] Lakes state government to bring the suspects to face law … we need [the] rule of law to settle this case,” he added.

Police say Dhel, who bore the traditional markings similar to those of Cueibet youth, was mistakenly shot without being questioned by his assailants.

According to Lakes state’s acting minister of information and communication, Dhieu Wal Takping, four suspects were captured in Pacong in connection to the attack, although activists have dismissed the minister’s claims as lies.

Activist Moses Ater said the state had become among the most lawless in South Sudan.

The governor has also been accused of having allowed his immediate family members to engage in revenge killings and hate speeches.

“The message is clear, whether election or no election, Kiir will only see more graveyards and his government is becoming unpopular,” said Ater.

There are growing calls for president Salva Kiir Mayardit to immediately relieve Dhuol, whom Ater described as a “master key of murders” in Lakes state. However, so far public demands have been overlooked.

Dhuol was appointed last January after his elected predecessor was removed by presidential decree, reportedly over his failure to control unrest in the state.

The Lakes state government has since 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.

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 home in the Chumchok residential area. The suspects remain at large.

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)