Three dead in Western Equatoria state skirmishes
December 27, 2014 (JUBA) – Three people were killed when herders from South Sudan’s Lakes state drove their animals into neighbouring Western Equatoria state, officials said Saturday.
“A brother to Taban Gode, a business person who owns liberty lodge in Maridi town, was injured in the raid in which three other people were killed, one of whom was identified as a member of Mundari tribe from Central Equatoria state,” he told Sudan Tribune by phone.
Farajallah said residents were saddened by the “barbaric” killings.
“They [people] are upset because this is not the first time such incident had taken place and the national government has done nothing but watch while the elasticity of endurance of the citizens is being stretched, especially for communities that have suffered the gruesome fate of murder by the herdsmen,” added the official.
The onus, Farajallah stressed, was on the government to control the influx of pastoralists from Lakes state who were a source of insecurity.
The local government official also said he received reports from the area locals, who claimed the attackers allegedly vandalised farms and yam barns, raped women and burnt houses before fleeing.
“All these followed attempts by the villagers to make the herders take their cattle off farmlands that had come under devastation, as crops were destroyed by the animals and people’s efforts and investments were being laid waste”, he said.
Multiples sources in the area also confirmed the incident, which they mainly attributed to conflicts between farmers and cattle herders. All these issues were due to struggles for grazing land and water points.
Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the authenticity of these allegations as neither the county commissioner nor the state government made statements.
(ST)