The authorities in the Lakes State capital, Rumbek confirmed that inter-communal fighting between the communities of Cueibet and Rumbek Centre counties have left 6 dead and 9 others wounded as both sides accused each other of theft and cattle raiding.
The fighting t occurred on Wednesday 1 January 2025 during New Year celebrations.
The police spokesperson in the state, Major Elijah Mabor Makuac, told this publication on Thursday that the Government of Lakes State sent security forces to stop the fighting.
“What happened on Wednesday is that fighting erupted between youth from Cueibet County and Rumbek Centre County. The fighting led to the killing of 6 people and 9 others were wounded from both sides and other losses of properties were also registered,” he said. “According to the information from the ground, this fighting was triggered by some armed criminals who went and stole 5 cows from a place called Bal-wau early at 3 a.m. The owners of the cattle owner followed his cows to the direction of the area called Makuek and Akur-deu.”
Maj. Mabor added: “After they caught up with the criminals, they fought until the owners managed to recover the 3 head of cattle, criminals fled with two cows, and in this process, the fighting spread to Gurmaar village”.
He said the fighting was contained by security forces and traditional leaders and that the wounded were taken to hospital.
“Those wounded on the side of Cueibet County were evacuated to Cueibet Primary Health Center while those wounded on the side of Rumbek Centre County were evacuated to Rumbek State Hospital,” Mabor said. “Security forces are still investigating the incident to identify the ring leaders who caused this conflict and they will be arrested. The commissioners of both counties are still at the scene of fighting to find and apprehend the perpetrators.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Laat Kon, the coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in Lakes State, said the fighting was very unfortunate.
“According to the information that we have heard, it is alleged that cattle thieves came from Cueibet County to raid cattle, and then they went with 5 cows and the owners of the cows followed them and fell in an ambush and the fighting started,” he said. “You know, it is a very unfortunate incident following an incident that happened in Aliet cattle camp of Yirol East County where 5 people were also lost. As CEPO, we condemn these clashes in the strongest terms and we are calling on both communities to dialogue to address the issues.”