Warrap to deploy more security forces to curb sectional fighting
September 24, 2014 (JUBA) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Warrap state said on Wednesday that they are deploying additional security forces to help curb sectional fighting in Tonj East and North counties.
In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, Tonj East county commissioner Madol Chol said police in collaboration with local youths were able to recover about 300 heads of cattle stolen by a group from the neighbouring county of Tonj North.
According to Chol, four of the attackers were killed during the operation to recover the stolen cattle, while another three suspects were arrested.
“The state government has agreed to reinforce the security forces we have here. They said they will send more to help us curb this situation from spiralling out of control,” he said.
Chol admitted the attack was carried out by a group from his county in retaliation for a previous attack and cattle theft carried by a rival group in an adjacent community.
“In total, we now established that 10 people have been killed and seven others have been wounded. We are now instigating the motive of these clashes,” he said.
“The primary information we are getting is that the youth are claiming they were responding to the previous attacks in which their relatives, including women and children, were killed by the members of the community on which they staged the attack,” he added.
One of those arrested claimed some of his relatives were killed by members of the rival community that they attacked.
According to the commissioner, the attack took place in Pamiir-Ajak camp under Kirik payam (district) in neighbouring Tonj North.
The attack, which occurred over the weekend, follows another incident in which 40 people were killed in early September.
Some 66 people were also wounded in sectional fighting in Luanyjang between the Adeel and Thuch sections, which erupted after a woman from Tonj East county eloped.
(ST)