March 11, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — A fresh whim of violence between the Pakam and the Gok communities in the Lakes State of South Sudan has claimed the life of 10 people and left 9 wounded.
According to Makuac Chol, the executive Director of Cueibet County, 70 heads of cattle were also raided during the Tuesday sub-sectional clashes. The clashes broke out in the Mabor cattle camp in Rumbek North County.
He said that 4 people from the Gok community were killed whereas 2 people were injured. According to him, the Pakam community lost 6people while seven were left critically wounded.
“They fought on Tuesday and finished it there in Mabor,” said the Executive Director. “The Pakam youth took more than 70 heads of cattle from the Gok. They might even be more because people are still reporting that their animals are missing.”
Marial Machar Aweckok, a Member of Parliament from Rumbek North County while confirming the clashes said that the fighting started on Monday.
According to the Member of Parliament, the Pakam and the Gok armed youth met on a fishing ground in Mabor on Monday and that was the genesis of the mindless killing.
“Pakam and Gok armed youth met on a fishing ground in Mabor area and they began fighting which led to the death of two people on Monday and the following day both sides again mobilized themselves and the fighting resumed. But we don’t have the clear information after that fight and are waiting for that from the local administration,” said Machar.
Marik Nanga Marik, the Member of Parliament representing Rumbek North County was evasive while making comments on the incident. He said that he heard of the clashes but had very scanty details on the incident.
Makuer Dok who is a young activist in Rumbek County strongly condemned the mindless bloodshed and outright disregard of human life blaming it on senseless sectional strife.
He compelled members of the clashing communities to throw in reason urging them to unite and refuse to be divided.
“There is no reason for one people who is in the same Lakes State, under one leader, to continue killing each other. Both Gok and Pakam are Dinka and they speak the same language and they are in the same state,” Dok said.
