South Sudan army contains sectional fighting in Lakes State ArticleComments (8). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Ngor Arol Garang October 14,2011 (JUBA) - Lakes State authorities on Friday said the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the official army of the new state of South Sudan, said it had contained fighting between ethnic groups in Rumbek East County. Local authorities told Sudan Tribune that sectional fighting between Thony and Gony Payith ethnic communities broke out last week, resulting into the death of at least one person. No reports of injuries were made but the tension was rising. Speaking by phone from Rumbek on Friday, Awan Matur, a government official in the state said situation had returned to normal. “Actually it was not a fighting. It was just an incident in which a person was killed in a place called Kuei Cok near Pacong Payam”, Matur told Sudan Tribune from Rumbek. He attributed the cause to an old conflict between the two clans in the area but said the SPLA forces on the ground were quickly deployed and that the situation is contained. “There is no problem at the moment. The SPLA forces control the situation. The traditional leaders together with county authorities are now talking to the people from both sides so that the issue is addressed instead of fighting”, he said. Sudan Tribune was unable reach the SPLA for comment. Disarmament Campaign The civilian-led disarmament process began across Lakes, Unity and Warrap States last month and is expected to be completed within three months. Thousands of weapons are expected to be collected from local communities across the three states. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG), Hilde F. Johnson in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune by her office congratulated state authorities and local population for engagement in the civilian-led disarmament process across the Lakes State. "I am encouraged by the local communities and their participation in the civilian-led disarmament process taking place across Lakes State. There has been such a positive response to this initiative with excellent cooperation between local communities and the state authorities." Hilde further stressed that there is no peace, security, stability and delivery of necessary social services without disarmament. She encouraged local communities to collaborate closely with the state authorities to achieve this fundamental task. "UNMISS stands ready to offer our support and assistance as this civilian-led disarmament process continues," she added. During a familiarisation visit to Lakes state to assess the progress of the disarmament process, the UN’s top official in the South Sudan met the state governor for Lakes State, the county commissioner for Cuibet, the SPLA Division and Brigade HQ, as well as the local communities of Duony, Pagaur and Abiriu payams [districts]. As a sign of respect for political figures, she visited Kobur (bridge) William, the memorial site, where William Deng Nhial, father of South Sudan’s current Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was assassinated in 1965 by the Khartoum-based Sudanese government. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" 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/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
