Lakes state official admits security worsening in region

January 13, 2015 (RUMBEK) – The deputy governor of South Sudan’s Lakes state, Santo Domic admitted on Tuesday that the region was experiencing rising cases of insecurity, hampering crop harvest.

“The insecurity has risen and the public turned its back to government by refusing to share information related to insecurity with security forces on ground,” said Domic.

“The common causes of death are from revenge and target killings influential figure within Lakes state communities,” he added.

He said the growing levels of insecurity have hampered development.

Lakes state has been embroiled in cycles of revenge attacks with many blaming government for allegedly failing to curb insecurity.

The situation recently worsened when a joint force of the police and military withdrew from all hotspots in the state, claiming they had no way to collect information due to community’s failure to cooperate.

Data from Lakes state Criminal Investigation Department reported an increase in crime-related incidences within the volatile region.

The deputy governor warned the population against too much involvement in inter-clan clashes and continuous cycle of violence.

“There are no chances for indigenous people to look after their livelihood and of course this has affected the economy,” he said.

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

Dhuol was appointed in 2013 after president Kiir sacked elected governor Chol Tong Mayay.

(ST)