The authorities in Lakes State have confirmed that armed youth from Unity State’s Panyijiat County killed three people and injured four others in Rumbek East and Rumbek North counties of Lakes State over the weekend.
The incidents occurred in Lang village of Rumbek North County and at a water reservoir in Rumbek East County.
Moses Maker Magok, the commissioner of Rumbek North County, said the bandits, together with SPLA-IO elements, attacked a cattle camp in Lang but were repelled.
“The youth of Rumbek North County stood firm to protect their cattle and repulsed the attackers and recovered more than 5,000 head of cattle, which were raided by the criminals from Panyijiar County,” he stated. “One youth was killed on the side of Rumbek North County, and four people were wounded. The youth from Rumbek North County are still pursuing the rebels and criminals.”
Commissioner Maker said security forces have been deployed to restore security and urged the commissioner of Panyijiar County to control and hold his people accountable.
For his part, William Koji Kirjok, the acting information minister in Lakes State, confirmed the attacks.
“During the incident, the attackers managed to take some cattle, but later, the cattle were recovered by the owners. The cows that were raided in Lang Village were recovered and taken back to their cattle owners in Rumbek North County by efforts of the local youth and the organized forces on the ground,” he said. “Just before the incident in Rumbek North, the criminals also killed two people in Rumbek East County at a place called Hafir (reservoir).”
“So, the armed youths from Panyijiar County are actually terrorizing the counties of Lakes State that are bordering Unity State,” Minister Koji added.
Meanwhile, Abraham Matur of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Lakes State, described the attacks as regrettable and urged the governors of Unity and Lakes states to work together to contain conflict and engage youths from the two states to de-escalate conflict and criminality.
“Lakes State has been at peace, and we want to continue with peace. Any aggression or attacks will worsen the peaceful coexistence between the communities at the border,” he said. “The authorities need to engage in dialogue with youths from Mayiandit, Mayom, Panyijiar counties in Unity State and those from Rumbek North, Rumbek Centre, Rumbek East and Yirol East counties of Lakes.”
He urged the new governor of Lakes State to report for duty in Rumbek and deploy community police and other organized forces at the borders of the two states.