April 5, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Lakes state capital Rumbek, say efforts by lawmakers to quell insecurity is making progress, with signs tribal tensions are easing.

A group of 57 MPs at state and national level have launched a tour of counties affected by inter-clan clashes as part of efforts to initiate a reconciliation process within communities.

Cueibet, where 45 people were confirmed dead in clashes between the Waat and Panyar last month, was the first county MPs visited this week.

The Cueibet community have called for a special court to be set up to try murder cases, saying it was a key priority to resolving inter-clan tensions.

Jamal Juma Kakaya, a lawmaker who visited Cueibet, confirmed that two people suspected of murder during the Panyar-Waat clashes had been handed over to the group before being brought to Lakes state’s main prison.

State minister for information and communication Marik Nanga Marik said the MPs had signed a communique on 31 March aimed at restoring trust and building peace within Lakes state communities.

Leaders called for a collective response to help address sectional fighting across Lakes states and neighbouring regions.

Nanga said that the Waat and Panyar clans of the Cueibet Gok Dinka had since accepted reconciliation efforts without precondition.

Lakes state civil societies, students and traditional chiefs have demanded that a special court be established to bring those suspected of tribal revenge killings to justice, however, the state government has so far ignored the demand.

Many pastoralists, however, are angered that none of the cases have been settled in court.

They have rejected the efforts of lawmakers, demanding that Lakes state’s military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol be removed.

Dhuol has been accused of intimidation and of imposing harsh security measures since his appointment 14 months ago after elected governor Chol Tong Mayay was removed by presidential decree.

Insecurity has been on the rise in Lakes state over the past week, with dozens of people killed in cattle raids and inter-clan clashes.

(ST)