Sudanese trader killed in Lakes state

June 15, 2015 (RUMBEK) – A Sudanese trader was on Sunday killed by unknown gunmen in South Sudan’s Lakes state capital, Rumbek.

Moses Achiek, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, confirmed the incident, saying the killers were being searched for.

“Criminal acts are on high increase and it is becoming difficult to get facts from host community because surrounding communities have refused to share with us security-related information,” said Achiek.

“The businessman was killed inside his shop, but till now, we do not know who the real suspects involved in the murder,” he added.

Azuma Mangar, a senior Lakes state police officer, said the businessman could have been killed by gangs looking for money.

“These are gangs who may have killed the businessman after they tried to loot his properties and resistance caused his death,” he said.

Meanwhile, a pastoralist was also killed in a separate incident just next to the state legislative assembly, prompting police to increase night patrols to curb rising crimes.

Moses Ater, an activist, accused state authorities of allegedly failing to protect the population in the wake of the worsening insecurity levels in Lakes state.

“This state government is part of the insecurity and there is no way you can share information with them,” Ater told Sudan Tribune, adding, “If you tell them information [then] they turn against you,”.

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

(ST)