The Cueibet County commissioner has accused Rumbek North youth of killing nine people and wounding four others during an attack last Wednesday in Lakes State.

Commissioner Mayom Malk said the dead in Abiriu Payam included three children and three women. He said 17 cows were killed and an additional 20 injured.

There have been previous hostilities between the two communities. Rumbek North Commissioner Marial Machar alledged Cueibet County youth killed five women and children and wounded five others during a raid last month that netted them thousands of cattle.

Cueibet Commission Mayom said no cows were taken during last week’s attack.

“It was night hours that they came to attack,” he said. “Otherwise youths from Cueibet County could have counter-reacted to fight them.”

Mayom said the state government has dispatched additional police forces to Rumbek North to investigate the killings. Acting Information Minister Dhieu Wal confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that Interior Minister Aleu Ayieny has dispatched the forces to arrest any suspected killers.

Mayom has also requested that young people from his area not engage in any reprisal attacks or they will face arrest.

He acknowledged a history of disputes between his area and Rumbek North, but said it was caused by small groups of people, while most of the community was eager to have peace.

File photo: Police in Lakes State (M. Mayom/Sudan Tribune)