A Lakes State security official said the ongoing conflict around Mapuordit Payam of Yirol West County is a clash between pastoralists and agriculturalists, refuting claims that the fighting was caused by cattle rustling.
Santo Domic Col told Good News Radio that the tension between the two communities of Mvolo, in Western Equatoria State, and Yirol West, in Lakes State, is not new and in February ten people were killed after cattle keepers from Yirol went looking for pastures in Mvolo.He added that the two communities did not make peace due to a failure in reconciliation.
Mr. Domic said the clashes started last Wednesday when two people from Mapuordit were shot and injured and their community launched retaliatory attacks against Bahrgrinti centre in Mvolo razing some villages to the ground.
He added that Lakes government deployed some 300 security officers and a committee formed by Lakes and Western Equatoria governors is on the ground to study the root causes of the conflict.
Mr. Domic warned that inter-tribal conflicts are tainting the image of South Sudan, giving a negative image of people unable to govern themselves.
He appealed to the people of South Sudan to change their mindsets that see violence as a way of solving issues.
Mr. Domic proposed universal education as an alternative to conflict, saying it empowers people to realize the negative effects of violence.
He called for unity of the different tribes of South Sudan, insisting that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences.
Church personnel at Mapuordit said there were at least nine deaths from both sides and some of the injured were receiving treatment at the mission’s hospital.