Two dead as security personnel, pastoralists clash in Rumbek
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March 29, 2014 (RUMBEK) - A gunfire exchange between pastoralists and
security personnel on Tuesday left a policeman and soldier dead in
Lakes state's Rumbek Central county.
An officer attached to South Sudan's Criminal Investigation Department
(CID) identified the dead policeman as Makur Maker Gum.
PNG - 20.3 kb
The officer, who preferred anonymity, said clashes erupted on Monday
between pastoralist youth and organised forces after the former raided
cows in Rumbek town.
"Following the cattle raid the Lakes state government asked the police
and army to search the town for weapons", he told Sudan Tribune.
"The cause [of the clashes] was the orders that were given by the
governor that all the arms should be collected in the town by the
organize forces", added the officer.
He however said the state government was still investigating the 17
March incident in which two policemen were killed by another group of
armed youth.
Multiple sources told Sudan Tribune that clashes erupted in Kuel-Kuac
between pastoralists after they were allegedly provoked by soldiers in
the area.
On Thursday 27, two people were also killed when fresh clashes erupted
between pastoralists and the country's security forces at Bahrgel
payam [district], about three miles from Wulu county headquarters.
People in the area have vowed never to handover their guns to Lakes
state authorities claiming government was neither prepared to protect
them nor treat them fairly.
Lakes state caretaker governor, Matur Chut Dhuol's tenure has proved
controversial due to his use of military prison to hold people without
trial with activists and some traditional leaders calling for his
replacement or elections as per the country's constitution.
Many civilians in Lakes state have distanced themselves from the
government since these harsh security measures were introduced by
Dhuol, whom President Salva Kiir appointed in January 2012 to succeed
the elected governor, Chol Tong Mayay.
Youth from Lakes state claim they were fed up with the government's
claims and accusations that they are supporters of South Sudan's
former vice-president, Riek Machar, who is now leads a rebellion
against the country's leadership.
The rebellion has mainly affected Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile
states, with Lakes state currently hosting up to 100,000 people
displaced as a result of the conflict.
A Lakes state youth told Sudan Tribune on Monday that the current
conflict had nothing to do with South Sudanese civilians, but a power
struggle between the politicians in the country's ruling party (SPLM).
Traditional chiefs, students and activists have called on President
Kiir to remove Governor Dhuol, but these public demands have so far
been overlooked.
Under South Sudan's constitution, an election should be held within 90
days, in the event that the president removes a governor from
office.However, this is yet to be seen in the three states where
elected governors were removed in 2013.
(ST)
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