Local authorities have confirmed that interclan fighting between armed youths from the Manuer and Lith sections of the Pakam Community left five people dead and 12 others injured in Lakes State’s Rumbek North County on Wednesday.
Sources reported that a primary health care unit and several thatched houses were set ablaze during the violence.
William Koji Kirjok, the state’s caretaker information minister, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the state government and the commissioner of Rumbek North County deployed forces to check further clashes. He urged leaders from the county to rein in the warring youths.
“We are urging the intellectuals and politicians from Rumbek North County to unite and talk to their people to stop interclan fighting between all the sections of Pakam Community to allow elections to take place,” he said. “The election needs a conducive environment of peace between the communities.”
According to Minister Koji, most of the wounded have been transported to Rumbek State Hospital, with others still en route.
“The clashes which occurred since Wednesday were between Manuer and Lith sections of Pakam Community of Rumbek North,” he said. “The state security advisor and minister of local government are both in Rumbek North County handling the situation.”
For his part, Daniel Laat Kon, the chairperson of the state civil society organizations network, condemned the fighting and urged the government to deploy more security forces in the area.
“Comprehensive disarmament is the only way to successfully conduct general elections in Lakes State,” he stated.
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