At least seven people were killed and three others wounded in inter-communal violence in Abiriu County of Gok State last week, government officials said.
Gok State information minister, John Madhol Panther, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the incident occurred when inter-communal clashes erupted between armed youth from Gok and Western Lakes States last Friday.
He further said those wounded in the clashes are now receiving treatment at Cueibet Hospital. “This is the situation we are in now. Armed youth from Western Lakes State attacked youth of Gok state in Alel Village of Abiriu County, killing four people and wounding three others,” said Madhol.
“The cause of the attack is being reported to be over some cattle raided from Western Lakes State and those who fought with them did not take cattle,” he added.
Madhol said state authorities would continue investigating the matter.
“We condemn the attack carried out by youth of Western Lakes State and urge authorities to respect the inter-state peace dialogue resolutions that were signed by governments and communities of both states,” stressed Madhol.
On his part, the commissioner of Malek County of Western Lakes State, Majok Arop Majok confirmed the incident, saying at least three people were killed from their side during the clashes in Abiriu County.
“On the side of Western Lakes State, three people were killed and nobody has been wounded,” said Majok.
The local official attributed the clashes to suspicion and tensions between armed youth from both states over cattle raided from Western Lakes State.
Cattle raids are common among pastoralist communities in the Greater Lakes region.