Unknown gunmen kill two chiefs in Lakes state

October 25, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Two traditional chiefs were on Saturday evening killed by unknown gunmen in Lakes state’s Rumbek East county.

Authorities said the incident, which occurred in Ayen Mayar village involved the executive chief, Mamer Keer Malok and sub-chief, Yuol Janglei Marol as they traveled to Rumbek Central county.

A security official in the county said efforts were underway to apprehend those who may have been involve in the incident.

“It was very shameful. Our forces found two chiefs lying dead on the ground. The locals identified both chiefs,” he said.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed area civilians for not cooperating with the state government by declining to reveal identities of those suspected to have committed the crime.

The incident is seen as part of the ongoing cycle of revenge killings.

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

Meanwhile, clashes between pastoralist youth from Rumbek North county and joint security forces continued in Malek, Aguoc and around Rumbek Central county on Saturday, state officials said.

Death toll from the incident, Sudan Tribune has learned, rose from 59 to 72.

“Yes, we have 37 combat soldiers killed and 35 policemen were confirmed dead from Thursday to Saturday,” said senior officer who requested anonymity.

(ST)