40 dead in Lakes state inter-clan battle

December 27, 2014 (RUMBEK) – At least 44 people were killed and 31 others wounded in fresh inter-clan clashes in Lakes state, authorities said.

Saturday’s incident reportedly occurred in Rumbek East county.

Separate clashes, a police officer said, occurred between Kok-Awac and Kok-Keer in Panawac village, resulting into five deaths.

“Five SPLA [South Sudan army] soldiers were attacked and killed by armed youth when the army attempted to separate them,” said the officer, who preferred anonymity.

Meanwhile, more lives were reportedly lost in separate clashes between the Gony and Thuyic clans in Panbarkou. The two clans have have been locked into cycle of revenge since a paramount chief was murdered by a Thuyic clan member in August.

The police say the death toll from these clashes could significantly increase.

Lakes state has been blighted by cattle raiding since South Sudan gained independence from the north in July 2011, and continues to be locked in a cycle of inter-clan clashes and revenge killings.

Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of the caretaker governor Matur Chut Dhuol amid claims he has failed to stem the violence.

Dhuol was appointed in January 2013 after president Salva Kiir sacked the elected governor.

(ST)