Three Sudanese traders in Northern Bahr el Ghazal were shot dead in Rumaker and Peth on Friday and Saturday. The murders in Aweil East County are suspected to have been committed by members of the South Sudan Army. At least one suspect is being held at Wunyik military prison.

Idris Hamid Hamdan, a prominent Rizeigat businessman in Aweil, told Radio Tamazuj that three members of SPLA in Rumaker in Northern Bahr el Ghazal intercepted one on the traders on Friday his way on the eastern route back into South Darfur. The trader had sold sorghum and other goods in Rumaker and was returning to South Darfur with various sheep and goats he had purchased. The soldiers fired one shot at him killing him on the spot.

Hamdan, who serves as chairman of the Peace Committee of Rizeigat in Aweil, explained that the two other murders happened on Saturday in Peth. A member of the South Sudan Army is also suspected in these killings. Hamdan said that the Rizeigat informed authorities of the killings, who arrested the offender and attempted to hold him accountable.

A peace committee consisting of native administration leaders of Rizeigat and Dinka Malual is authorized to look into the cases in accordance with an agreement between the two tribes made earlier this year. The agreement covers business relations, grazing in border areas, and payment of blood money. Payment of 62 livestock has already been given to the Rizeigat.

Photo by Radio Tamazuj: truck drivers in Northern Bahr El Ghazal