Residents in the villages around Mapuordit are bearing the brunt of the conflict between the Dinka Atuot of Lakes State and the Jur of Western Equatoria State.
James Laat Abud, who works at Mapuordit Catholic Hospital, told Good News Radio yesterday that he was at Lual on Thursday, one hour on foot from Mapuordit, and he saw security officers burning the village to the ground.He added that security officers deployed in Mapuordit are mainly guarding the market and the Catholic Mission premises, including the schools and the hospital, while people in the villages are exposed to the ongoing clashes.
Mr. Laat said the Catholic Mission and the hospital are hosting scores of internally displaced persons, mainly from the villages around the centre.
Mr. Laat appealed to the relevant authorities to make a quick intervention to stop the tribal conflict, stating that the measures taken so far have fallen short of people’s expectations.
He revealed that many inhabitants around Mapuordit left for Yirol and Aluak Luak, fearing for their lives.
The head teacher of Mapuordit Comboni Primary School Ustaz Lino Deng said his school will not reopen on Monday due to insecurity.
Ustaz Deng urged the two communities to keep peace and forget the differences and have Christ’s heart for the future of our children.
He begged the government to act quickly to maintain peace and unity on the ground.