Calls for restraint after scores confirmed dead and many left homeless in Twic areas!
Turalie, Bentinu, Juba, PR, MP 30 May 2019
Government officials from the Nothern Liech state and Twic have started to reach out and to concert efforts to end what others have described as the madness of cattle raids across their borders. Both called on their citizens to calm down and restrain after deadly clashes that took many innocent lives and left several others homeless.
Fighting, however, has broken out on Tuesday morning in a number of Twic areas causing a huge humanitarian crisis in a situation that might escalate further and leads to a spate of retaliation in the area between the two sides.
The Governor of Twic State, Atem Madut Yak said at least ‘twenty-two people’ confirmed dead, several others injured, and many fled home for their lives.
He pointed out that, the attackers came from the neighbouring Northern Liech State. They were heavily armed, and after clashes, they managed to get away with at least 3.000 cows.
Some Twic officials pointed a finger of accusation at Gen. Mathew Pauljang who hailed from the Nothern Liech state. He was accused of masterminding and leading the deadly attack into Twic areas.
But, the Nothern Liech Minister of Information, Lam Tungwar denied Pauljang’s involvement in the attack. Tungwar, however, confirmed the incident blaming youth from both sides of the spirit of retaliation. He said Liech youth were trying to recover some cows which were stolen by Twic youth in their last raid on Liech areas recently.
Sources in the area said the areas which came under attack included, Amuol, Ayien, Aweng, Bulyom, Makol, Marol, Pangop, Turalei, and Wutcum-Pandit.
Cattle wrestling is common among the pastoralist communities in certain areas of South Sudan. Mainly in the region of Jonglie and Greater Pibor, Rumbek in Lake State and Turkana areas at the border with Kenya. Cattle wrestling has been the main cause of tension among many communities.
MP
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