January 22, 2009 (JUBA) — About 24 people have been killed in tribal clashes in the troubled southern Sudanese state of Jonglei between armed members of Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups following an argument between two people.
- Destroyed huts are seen in the southern Sudanese village of Duk-Padiet, which suffered recent fighting, in southern Sudan Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009. (Timothy Mckulka-UNMIS)
The fighting broke out in the New Fangak area of Jonglei last Monday after a dispute between two Nuer everyone of them living in a different village populated by the two ethnic groups; the quarrel involved neighbors from both sides where nine people were killed.
However, the fighting erupted again when armed members of the Dinka Rut attacked a settlement of the Nuer Thiang on Thursday killing 15 people and wounded other 16, said SPLA spokesperson Major General Kuol Diem Kuol.
Kuol said that there are five missing people among the Nuer adding, they have no details about the casualties on the Dinka side.
Usually attacks between the different tribes in the largest state in southern Sudan are caused by dispute over water, pasturage and cattle rustling as well as revenge. But this time the violence originated by a personal quarrel between two people from the same tribe.
During 2009, some 2,500 people were killed and 350,000 displaced by the tribal fighting in the semi-autonomous region, a higher death toll than in the troubled western region of Darfur.
In his latest report to the UN Security Council released today, the Secretary General expressed concern over the tribal violence in southern Sudan, mainly in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei States, as well as the triangle between Jonglei Central Equatoria and Lakes States.
The Juba government has launched a new campaign to disarm civilians in the region but the continual clashes show the need for more effective measures like roads construction and deployment of regular forces.
(ST)
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