Four Sudanese traders were killed east of Renk town in the border area between South Sudan and Sudan, allegedly at the hands of militias opposed to the South Sudanese government.

The traders were trying to cross the border from Sudan to Upper Nile, the Renk County commissioner Guot Akoi said yesterday. He blamed their deaths on militias opposed to the government of South Sudan, whom he said were working in coordination with Sudanese intelligence elements which are always chasing the smugglers.

He added that the smugglers actually entered Renk County but were chased by the militias until they were overtaken several kilometres from the town: “In fact I was not around i just received an information that there were some traders killed east of Renk town, not at the town’s entrance.”

“I am sure these people were killed by the militia groups which are operating these days along the border along with the Sudanese intelligence because you can’t kill somebody who is assisting you,” Guot Akoi, denying involvement of any southern forces in the crime.

He said that the victims’ bodies were handed over to some of their family members in Renk in preparation for burial.