Three killed in W. Bahr el Ghazal revenge attack

December 21, 2014 (GETTE) – At least three people were reportedly killed in a revenge attack that occurred in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state amid rising tensions among communities in Jur River county.

“The death toll may rise higher as gunshots could still be heard in some parts of Kangi district over night,” an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sudan Tribune Saturday.

“Many people were seen fleeing in to bushes in fear of being killed,” he added.

Friday’s killing of Chau Ucu Chau, the paramount chief of Alel-Thony, by sections of Tuba communities from Kangi payam sparked the chaos.

“Despite the heavy presence of security forces in the areas, many local youths from both communities of Tuba and Pukun are in the forest hunting for one another, forcing elders and children to flee into bushes and niegbouring states of Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal,” the eyewitness said.

There are unconfirmed reports that some heavily armed deserters from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) who had since returned to their villages were also involved in the clashes.

However, Sudan Tribune was not able to independently verify the claims.

This is the first time the Luo communities of Jur River county have experienced such confrontations, with the outbreak of violence apparently taking security forces in the area by surprise.

(ST)