An 11-member committee formed by the government of Wau State has concluded its investigation into recent attacks on civilians in Kwajina and Alur Counties. The committee was headed by the state security adviser, Milio Bafuka.
Violent attacks on civilians by armed men took place last week, killing at least 10 people including women and children.
Speaking at a press conference in Wau town on Friday, Governor Angelo Taban Biajo said the deadly attacks were carried out by armed pastoralists from Tonj state.
“The pastoralists came and crossed into areas under opposition control. The cattle keepers clashed with members of the opposition in those areas because some of their cows were taken,” he said.
“After fighting with the opposition forces, the pastoralists started shooting randomly at civilians when they were withdrawing from opposition areas,” he explained.
The top state official confirmed at least 10 civilians were killed and eight others injured in the attacks. He pointed out that the injured were being treated at Wau Hospital.
Biajo said the investigation team concluded that cattle keepers from Tonj state violated the Marial Bai agreement of December 2016. The agreement regulates the relationship between pastoralists and farmers inTonj, Gogrial and Wau States.
“The agreement says no pastoralist will be allowed to carry gun during migration in dry season to Wau. Nobody will be allowed to bring his cattle to Wau without permission from local chiefs, but the pastoralists did not approach the chiefs,” he said.
“The incident took place when pastoralists from Tonj crossed into areas controlled by the opposition in Wau. It was found out that four pastoralists were killed in clashes with the opposition near Rabaganya area,” he added.
The state governor noted that the civilians were killed in the area of Maranya.” There are no any opposition fighters in Maranya areas,” he said.
Biajo promised to engage Tonj state authorities to discuss ways of protecting citizens in the two states, pointing out that security forces have been deployed in Kwajina and Alur Counties after the attacks.
Governor Biajo emphasized the need to enhance peaceful coexistence between various communities in Tonj and Wau states.
Opposition officials in the area could not be reachable for comment.