---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 9:55 PM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Fw: Conflict in Boma To: Group <[email protected]>
The following disturbing report is from sources familiar with the area. Since then, church sources have confirmed the broad outlines and reported possible large-scale displacement of survivors. The detailed allegations in the report can only be confirmed when outside observers have the chance to assess the situation, something which apparently has not happened yet. John BEGIN Early this week, the Murle community in Boma, joined hands with the SPLA forces in the area, and have massacred an unknown numbers of their neighbouring Jiye community. An eye witness reports that many vulnerable persons including women and children were burned alive in their houses, and as we speak, vultures could be seen devouring the human remains from the Jiye community who have been left unburied, as those who escaped the assault are now hiding in the bushes or in the mountains, without food and water. The current incident was said to have been triggered by cattle rustling which is a common occurrence among the three triangular tribes of Topotha, Jiye and Murle. The chronology of the story is that the Jiye community had earlier raided cattle from the Topotha tribe and brought them to Boma. When the SPLA authority learnt of this, they decided to forcefully take way these cattle from the custody of the Jiye community and keep them in their custody. When the Jiye youth head about this, they mobilized themselves and confronted the SPLA forces, in order that they might reclaim the stolen cattle, and subsequently fierce fighting ensued between the SPLA forces, joined by the Murle community, against the Jiye youth. As would be expected, the two forces succeeded in pushing the Jiye youth back into the mountains, but unfortunately the two forces turned their guns against innocent and vulnerable members of the Jiye communities who were left behind, among them women and children. An eye witness reports that the SPLA forces and the Murle tribesmen pursued the Jiye community up to their village at Naoyapuru. While there, they ordered the women and children to get into their houses and set fire on the entire village. With this alone, the number of casualties remains unknown as there has been no one from the Jiye community to tell their stories. By the time we have received this eye witness story this afternoon (April 2, 2011), most of the Jiye members who might have survived were/are now hiding in the bushes or at the top of the mountains. It is reported that even the wounded members of the Jiye community could not access the only Merlin Hospital in Boma as it is currently being guarded by the SPLA forces. Sadly, it’s about one week now since the incident took place and there has been little or no response from the county headquarters in Pibor. END ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan Advisor Sudan Ecumenical Forum [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +249 919 695 362 (Sudan mobile) +27 82 853 3556 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sudan-john-ashworth -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
