A tribal leader was gunned down by armed assailants in South Sudan’s Western Lakes State last Friday, according to local officials.
The incident happened as he was traveling with his son to Akot Payam in Eastern Bahr Naam County to attend a peace conference between feuding communities of Western and Eastern Lakes states.
Eastern Bahr Naam County Commissioner Mabor Makuac told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that armed men shot and killed Chief Mayek Biling on Friday.
“The chief was killed as he was travelling to Akot to attend a peace conference. His son called Ater Mayek who was driving the motorcycle was also killed by the attackers,” he said.
He pointed out that the planned peace conference was cancelled after the killing of the tribal chief. The local official called on the national government to investigate the killing of Chief Mayek Biling and his son.
The commissioner condemned the incident. He accused armed groups from Aluak-Luak area of Eastern Lakes state of killing the traditional leader.
Vendetta killings, cattle rustling and border disputes are identified as the key causes of insecurity in greater Lakes region.