Warrap deploys more troops after 92 killed in communal fued
October 16, 2015 (JUBA) – Authorities in South Sudan’s border state of Warrap deployed on Friday more government forces after 92 people were reportedly killed and more than 140 injured in inter-communal clashes in it’s Tonj East county.
Local officials, however, attributed the cause to raid on cattle camp on the border between Luacjang and Thiik section of ethnic Dinka. Other claimed it could be linked to dispute arising from the failure by the new county commissioner, Biar Biar, to accept reception at Lith Lol, a designated place for reception of government officials at the border between the two communities.
The state information Ariec Mayar Ariec said the government had dispatched more security forces to the site to contain the situation from getting out of control.
“The state governor himself has been on the ground and this has helped reduced the tension. He has been holding talks with both sides to the conflict since he arrived the area and now tension has reduced. More security forces have also been deployed. The situation is now under control”, Ariec told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.
The minister said he received reports showing 92 people died and 144 people wounded.
On Thursday, the caretaker governor Akec Tong Aleu said he has moved to the area and will remain there until the security situation between the two communities improved.
Akec said people did not know the cause of fighting and that they have agreed to reconcile and work together to identify the culprits and allow the government to deploy more forces.
“When we ask the people why you kill yourselves, they will not tell you. The answer they give is that I just saw one running and crying that so and so has been killed and then you go and find yourself fighting already because your brother or cousin is killed. So people fought because they have seen their people killed. They did not bother to ask. This is why a lot of people have died. Now as I am talking to you, 90 people have been killed on both sides and 144 people are wounded”, said Akec.
Aleu said he would return to the state capital in Kuacjok until the situation is subsided.
“I will be here. I will not go to Kuacjok and sit in office until this fight has stopped. I will not leave our people to continue to kill themselves. I want to be with them so that I talk to both sides. I have already talked to the chiefs who are playing a big and important role in resolving this situation”, said the governor.
He added, “They are the ones asking the youth to stop and listen to the government”.
(ST)