Attacks in Terekeka County kill 21

8 Oct 2009

Attacks in Terekeka County kill 21

At least 21 people were killed and over 4,000 were displaced when Dinka Alyap and Dinka Bor tribesmen attacked the Central Equatoria State (CES) payams of Mangalla and Zameza on 27 September, according to Terekeka County Commissioner Juma Ali.

The assault targeted eight bomas in the area, said Mr. Ali, and the raiders captured seven guns and 2,000 head of cattle belonging to Mundari residents.

"There are some wrong elements in the society who want to destabilize the peace and stability of southerners," he said, adding that Dinka and Mundari communities had been living peacefully in that part of the state prior to last week's attack.

A subsequent search by soldiers belonging to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) uncovered the bodies of three Dinka Alyap assailants who were dressed in military uniforms similar to those of the SPLA.

During a visit to the site of the violence on 5 October, CES Legislative Assembly Speaker Jamba Duku assured local residents that a thorough investigation of the attack would take place.

"I am going to form a parliamentary committee which will come here to gather full information about the incident," said Mr. Duku. "This is to uncover the root cause of the problem."

CES education minister Stephen Lemi expressed concern that the children of families uprooted by the violence would be unable to attend school in the aftermath of the attack.

"When I see the population here, it shows there are very many children of school-going age," said Mr. Lemi. "Since education is the key, this means the key is now being thrown away."

Mr. Duku announced that state officials had brought medicine for displaced persons in anticipation of a possible outbreak of disease in the closing weeks of the rainy season.