Rumbek authorities direct commissioners to end cycle of revenge attacks

March 19, 2015 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Lakes state capital Rumbek have instructed county commissioners to take immediate action to end ongoing revenge attacks between pastoralist youth.

The directive was made by the minister of local government and law enforcement agency, Jok Ayom Majak, during a news conference last Wednesday.

Fighting between pastoralist youth has affected Rumbek East, Rumbek North, Cueibet and Rumbek Central counties.

In a security meeting chaired by caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol, commissioners were instructed to ensure no further attacks were carried out.

Rumbek North county commissioner Abraham Maloth Marier was also ordered to recover cattle stolen in Cueibet, Rumbek Central and Rumbek East counties within seven days.

The directives came following a series of attacks occurred on 15 March when pastoralist youth from Rumbek North county’s Pakam and Rumbek Central county’s Kuei sections mobilised against members of the Rup section. Ninety people have been confirmed dead from both sides and many are still missing.

“This attitude of killing [and] revenge must stop,” said Majak, calling on citizens to respect the rule of law.

“[The] state government is seriously searching for peace, but civilians [have] turn[ed] their back to [the] state leadership for unknown reasons,” he said.

Majak said state security agents have information that pastoralist youth are mobilising themselves for further revenge attacks, with members of the Nyang and Amothnhom sections believed to be heading to Malek payam (district) located in the north of Rumbek Central county.

The state government has dispatched military tanks and heavy weapons to quell any violence.

“We are positioning to send the three commissioners with forces and chiefs of Rumbek North, chiefs of Nyang and Amothnhom such that they go and disperse those people,” said Majak.

Activist Moses Maker has blamed the ongoing unrest in Lakes state on the failings of the authorities.

“This state government administration is [a] pure hostage of it own messes,” he said.

“The solution to this current problem in Rumbek should come from Juba – we are fed up [with the] daily death and no solution from [the] state government,” he added.

(ST)