South Sudan: Maridi market deserted amid tension

Residents of Maridi town of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state reported tension rising after locals shot dead a cow belonging to a fellow South Sudanese citizen from the Dinka tribe.

Residents of Maridi town of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state reported tension rising after locals shot dead a cow belonging to a fellow South Sudanese citizen from the Dinka tribe.

A source said “only army” is in the market and no one else walks in the area after the shooting of the cow.

The source added that the conflict in Maridi was also triggered by the shooting of a cow belonging to Dinka.

There has been friction in Western Equatoria state due to arrival of heavily armed Dinka soldiers and civilians with their cattle who are accused of trampling on food crops.

President Salva Kiir ordered all cattle keepers out of Western Equatoria last year but not everyone left.