24 dead, 7 wounded in fresh Lakes state clashes

October 23, 2014 (RUMBEK) – At least 15 South Sudan army soldiers were killed when they clashed with pastoralists in Lakes state’s Rumbek North county, police officials told Sudan Tribune.

“It was a very terrible confrontation. In action, 15 combat soldiers were killed by Pakam pastoralist youth, and 5 PKM guns and 14 AK-47s were captured by pastoralists,” said a police officer.

“We engaged in a gun battle when the youth overpowered our forces so as to save lives”, he added.

Despite the reinforcement that was sent to Rumbek North, most of the soldiers reportedly declined to get involved in the battlefield.

“An investigation will be carried out to find out why the army refused to move forward after reinforcement,” further said the officer.

Marik Nanga Marik, the Rumbek North MP confirmed the incident, saying seven youth were wounded during the fierce clashes.

“According to information on ground, there are nine civilians killed and seven with gunshot wounds. Some cows also were caught in the crossfire”, he added.

The lawmaker condemned the violent approach use by the military to confront the pastoralists under the guise of reinforcing justice.

In recent month, the police and members of the public have been at logger heads, with the former accusing the latter of defiance.

Lakes state has been blighted by cattle raiding since South Sudan’s independence in July 2011 and continues to be locked in a cycle of inter-clan revenge clashes.

Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of governor Matur Dhuol amid claims he has failed to stem the violence. President Salva Kiir has so far overlooked these calls.

Dhuol was appointed in January 2012 after president Kiir sacked the elected governor.

(ST)