By Yang Ater Yang
Four people were killed and 12 were wounded in cattle raiding clashes between armed youth from Rumbek Central and Cueibet counties of Lakes state, last weekend, according to the authorities.
“The specific place was between Aliet and Magotic area,” said Major Elijah Mabor Makuac, the Lakes State police spokesman.
He explained that the fighting erupted after criminals from Cueibet County stole 26 cattle from the community of Rumbek Central County on the 26th of the month.
When the cattle owners tried to track down the stolen animals, they were ambushed by the armed youth from Cueibet, leading to the casualties.
The wounded victims were evacuated to hospitals in Rumbek and Cueibet, and the security situation has since returned to normal, Makuac said.
He noted that the disarmament program in the state had been halted for a while due to some constraints, which is why it was not effective in preventing this latest violence.
“Peaceful disarmament was actually given a chance, and many of the armed youths managed to surrender their arms. What remains is forceful disarmament, and this forceful disarmament needs some procedures to be taken and conditions to be met,” Makuac said.
Dr. Terran Madit Terran, from Rumbek State Hospital, confirmed that they received two patients from the clashes – one with a gunshot wound to the hand and another with a slight head injury.
He said both were in stable condition and were able to be discharged.
Daniel Laat Kon, the CEPO (Community Empowerment for Progress Organization) coordinator in Lakes State, condemned the attack, saying it was a continuation of the cycle of retaliation and cattle raiding in the region.
He called on the state government to collect firearms from civilians to promote peaceful coexistence.
Kon urged the families of the deceased to remain calm and allow the government to apprehend the perpetrators, in order to deter further revenge attacks or cattle raids.