The Commissioner of Lafon County in South Sudan’s Torit State, Marko Uwar has urged government to intervene in ongoing tensions between the Logiri and Pari communities in Torit State.
At least 20 people were killed and several others were injured when the two rival communities clashed over a cattle raid in Torit County on March 24.
Speaking to reporters in Torit town on Tuesday, Uwar called upon the government to intervene to end conflicts between the Pari community of Lapon County and Logiri Community of Torit County.
He said those who lost their lives have to be compensated and that civilians should be disarmed to end the conflict.
“I need the government also to intervene because the only solution is to disarm all civilians and the real cause of the problem is raiding of the goats, cattle which is among the community there and a roadblock. The roadblock is a clear message that the president has given to the governor and the governor has instructed all of us. There is nobody to make roadblocks,” he said.
Uwar said the conflict that erupted in Ohiri Village of Torit County disrupted a meeting held to end the recurring cattle thefts between the two communities.
“Up to now, all things which were supposed to be narrated among the community by me as the Lafon commissioner and the commissioner of Torit were blocked, they started firing at us,” he said.
The commissioner blamed area politicians of causing these tensions. He said no suspect has been arrested over the incident.
On his part, the Torit County commissioner, Fermo Peter Ofere said a team to investigate last month’s killings has already been formed.
He did not, however, disclose when the team would begin its work.
“I cannot say anything. It is the law that can handle this issue. There is an ongoing investigation and the team will be the one to bring the results until people reach a solution,” said Ofere.
He further added, “The team that the governor has formed will go for investigation and bring their results and this issue will go to the court. It is the lawyers who know what to do about compensations”.
In the past, meetings held to address cattle thefts among the Logiri and Pari communities repeatedly faced interruptions.