Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-02 11:16:25
Residents of a swampy area in central South Sudan found themselves in a deadly conflict with cattle herders seeking water and pasture during the dry season. The result of this clash was at least 38 people killed and 52 suffering from gunshot wounds, according to officials on Thursday.
The violence began on Wednesday and continued to escalate, with officials expressing concerns about potential revenge attacks in the remote area. The information minister of Warrap state, William Wol Mayom, disclosed that the fighting took place in the Alor area, which is located in Lakes state and borders Warrap and Unity states.
In response to the conflict, security forces were deployed to de-escalate the situation and to move the cattle herders away from the disputed wetlands. Despite these efforts, Mayom acknowledged that minor clashes were still being reported in inaccessible swampy areas and that it was difficult to fully verify the number of casualties.
Maj. Elijah Mabor Makuach, a police spokesperson for Lakes state, provided a breakdown of the casualties, stating that 19 of the deceased and 17 of the wounded were civilians from Warrap state, while 19 of the deceased and 35 wounded were from Lakes state. Makuach explained that young herders from Warrap had migrated to the Alor area with their cattle two weeks prior and had begun burning brush and the temporary shelters of the residents in their search for pasture and water in the swampy lands of Alor.
This tragic event occurred merely four days after another outbreak of violence in Abyei, an oil-rich region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. In that incident, at least 52 people, including a U.N. peacekeeper, were killed and 64 were wounded by gunmen who attacked villagers. The root cause of that violence was also a land dispute.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has been plagued by internal conflict that lasted from 2013 to 2018, hindering the country’s development. The proliferation of firearms in the hands of civilians who participated in the conflicts has further exacerbated the situation.
The ongoing conflict between the residents of the swampy area and the cattle herders reflects the broader issue of land disputes and resource competition that continue to threaten the stability and security of South Sudan. It is imperative for the government and relevant authorities to address these underlying issues and work towards sustainable solutions in order to prevent further loss of life and violence in the region.
Read Original article on Africa News
