More than 150 people, mostly women and children, were killed yesterday and today in the East Vertet area, by Keniya river, in South East of Pibor.
The massacre represents a further development of the Lou Nuer-Murle conflict since Murle people fled from Pibor to Vertet to escape the Lou Nuer attack on the town.John Boloch is the assistant director for peace building and conflict management in the Peace and Reconciliation Commission. He told CRN News that many people ran to Vertet to escape the Lou-Nuer attack to Pibor, but over 150 were massacred at the place.
Pibor County Commissioner Joshua Konyi confirmed that a number of people was killed near River Keniya in East Vertet but he did not know how many.
Mr Boloch said what it is happening is a genocide war against the Murle people.
He added that Lou Nuer and Murle communities lived together in peace in the past.
Mr Boloch blamed politicians from Jonglei State for instigating the conflict between the two communities for private interests.
He added that peace will come only when the politicians stop their activities.
Mr Boloch refused to name the politicians involved and asked the Human Rights Commission to conduct its own investigation.
He asked the Government to take serious steps to bring those politicians to justice.
Mr Boloch added that there is also a Lou Nuer prophet who is directing the warriors and boycotted the efforts of reconciliation by the Sudan Council of Churches and Vice President Riek Machar Teny.
He criticized the UN for turned away wounded people seeking protection in their compound in Pibor.
Mr. Boloch said UN officials were telling people to go back to the County Commissioner and ask for a letter to be able to enter the UN compound.
He said the peacekeepers are mandated to protect civilians more than providing logistical support.
Mr. Boloch said yesterday and today Dinka Bor youths attacked Manyabol taking advantage of the security breakdown in Pibor County.