At least five people have been killed and 12 others wounded in renewed interclan clashes between armed youths from the Manuer and Lith sections of the Pakam community in Rumbek North County, Lakes State.
The clashes, which began on Wednesday, also left a primary healthcare unit burned and several thatched houses torched.
The caretaker Minister of Information and Communication in Lakes State, William Koji Kirjok, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that five people had been killed and 12 others wounded in the fighting between the two sections.
He said the state government and the Rumbek North County commissioner had deployed security forces to the area to prevent further escalation and a resumption of clashes.
“We are urging the intellectuals and politicians of Rumbek North County to unite and talk to their people to stop interclan fighting between all the sections of the Pakam community in order to allow elections to take place,” Kirjok said.
“The elections need a conducive environment of peace between the communities,” he added.
Kirjok said most of the wounded had been taken to Rumbek State Hospital, while others were still on their way to receive treatment. He added that the county commissioner was in the area working with security forces to address the situation.
“The clashes, which started on Wednesday, were between the Manuer and Lith sections of the Pakam community in Rumbek North County. The security adviser and the minister of local government are also there in the county,” he said.
Meanwhile, Daniel Laat Kon of the Civil Society Organisations Network condemned the renewed fighting between the Manuer and Lith sections.
He urged the government to deploy additional security forces to the area to contain the violence and prevent further clashes.
Laat Kon said comprehensive disarmament is the only way to ensure the successful conduct of general elections in Lakes State.
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