Clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and northern nomads in Unity State have killed at least 18 people, an army official said yesterday, while highlighting the need to demarcate the border between the north and the south.
SPLA spokesman Major General Kuol Deim Kuol told Reuters that on Wednesday Misseriya tribesmen made a surprise attack on the SPLA killing at least six soldiers and one civilian.Mr. Diem said eight Misseriya were found dead after the attack.
He added that an earlier clash killed three people from both sides.
William Keah, an Unity state official, said the clasher are related to grazing lands.
The Misseriya, an Arab nomad tribe, are allowed to bring their cattle south of the border during the dry season provided they leave their weapons at home.
In another development, Mr. Deim said fighting between Toposa and neighboring Kenya’s Turkana herders also erupted on Wednesday, killing eight people.