The authorities in Lakes State have confirmed that clashes between armed youth and SSPDF in Rumbek East County on Saturday morning left one suspected criminal dead, five soldiers wounded, and one suspect arrested and taken to Rumbek Town.
According to the acting minister of information and communication in Lakes State, William Koji Kerjok, the clashes erupted after two cows were stolen by criminals, and the case was reported to the forces in Pacong Payam.
“The organized forces from Panawach base pursued these criminals who resisted by shooting, and in the course of exchange of gunfire, one of the criminals was shot dead and one of the criminals was arrested and brought to Rumbek,” he said. “The community nearby and other youth members got information that this guy was shot at his home, which was wrongly reported, and they decided to attack Pacong Military Base, which is a distance from the base of the forces who pursued those criminals. During the fighting in Pacong Payam, five soldiers were injured.”
Minister Koji said more forces have been deployed to the area, and the situation has now been brought under control.
Meanwhile, Dr. Terran Madit Terran, the medical director at Rumbek State Hospital, confirmed that they received five patients with gunshot wounds.
“There is a total of 5 people with different gunshot injuries, and the majority of them sustained minor injuries on the legs,” he said. “Only 2 people sustained serious wounds, and we have worked on them, and they are now stable.”
For her part, Adhel Malual, a civil society activist in Lakes State, condemned the clashes and said the government should guide soldiers on how to deal with civilians.
“We do not need to create conflicts between soldiers and civilians because it is the citizens that are being protected by the uniformed personnel “, she said. ” But if you take the law into your own hands, it tarnishes the image of the army. We have customary laws and the rule of law and order, and they should be taken into consideration.”