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By Philip Thon Aleu
December 6, 2011 (BOR) – At least 40 people are dead and 30 injured following an attack on Monday on Akot village, Jonglei state, a local chief told the Sudan Tribune at the scene on Tuesday.
- Chief Philip Bol speaking to press in front of the remains of a Luak (Dinka Bor traditional building), Akot, Jonglei, South Sudan, December 6, 2011 (ST)
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it will send a military unit to the area to deter future attacks amoungst specualtion that recent disarmament programmes carried out by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and police in the region have made communities vulnerable to attack.
Twelve children are missing, scores of huts have been raised to the ground, 1,300 cattle, 400 goats and all stores of grains either looted or burnt according to local chief Philip Bol Deng, a local chief in Akot in Bor county’s Jalle Payam (district).
Deng said the raiders were from Murle ethnic group.
According the residents of Akot village, 40km north of Bor, the state capital, the highly armed force attacked the village from three directions at about 4.00pm local time on Monday. The attackers used AK-47 rifles, spears and machetes. Most of those killed are either children, women and elderly men.
By the time the UNMISS force commander, Moses Obi and his team, including members of the press, arrived at the scene on Tuesday at 4.30pm local time, all victims of the raid had been buried.
- UNMISS team and villagers in front of the remains of Luak (Dinka Bor tradtional building), Akot, Jonglei, South Sudan, December 6, 2011 (ST)
“They surprised us and easily overran the whole area. They killed people indiscriminately,” said Deng.
Upon Sudan Tribune’s arrival, most households were busy burying their loved ones.
In one incident, a sub-chief lost all members of his family including his wife and three children, resident Mary Achol said.
The head of the UNMISS force, Moses Obi, extended his condolences to the families in Jalle village and pledged that UNMISS military will be deployed to the area as soon as possible.
The villagers applaud the UNMISS response in light of the lack of support they have received from the South Sudanese security apparatus.
“We have no protection from the government; this village is already destroyed by Murle,” said Deng.
Members of parliament from the affected area visited the scene today including Dengtil Ayuen Kur from the national parliament; Kuol Bol Ayom and Alier Malet Apat both from the Jonglei State assembly; and SPLA commanders.
Families were seen moving away from their homes and said they were converging at what they hoped to be more secure areas.
(ST)
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