Officials in Yirol West County of South Sudan’s Lakes State say that calm had returned to the area after at least five people suspected to have been involved in inter-communal clashes that claimed one life last Friday were arrested.
Yirol West County Executive Director Rin Maker Mading told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that a man identified as Maker Agok Telar was killed and another injured in the clashes between the Atuot-Luac and Jieleek clans in Toich Wetlands.
“We have arrested two suspects from the Luac clan who triggered the violent clashes in Toich grazing wetlands. On the side of the Jieleek clan, we have arrested three people but one of the two wounded from the Jieleek clan succumbed to injury and the other is receiving treatment in Yirol Hospital,” he said.
Maker said the suspects are being held at the Rumbek Central Prison waiting for trial.
“There were no guns involved during the clashes between the two clans, they were using wooden sticks to beat themselves in the grazing wetlands,” the official said.
He added that the two groups have agreed to maintain peace and avoid further bloodshed.
“When the incident occurred, I went there and I talked to both sides in the conflict to cease violence. I warned them that if anyone causes violence he will be held accountable for renewing fighting. They both accepted to live peacefully and they did traditional sacrifices to stop any further bloodshed,” Maker noted.