Authorities in Lakes State say calm has returned to Cueibet County after 24 people were killed in clashes between armed youth from the Gok and Pakam communities of Cueibet and Rumbek North counties. Another 25 were wounded.
The clashes occurred on Monday at Relkou grazing area near Abiriu Payam when Pakam armed youth form Rumbek Centre County launched an attack.
William Machar Chol, the Malek Payam Administrator in Rumbek Centre has told Radio tamzuj that, 10 people were killed and 19 wounded from the Gok community.
From the Agar community, Machar said, 14 people were killed, six wounded and two others are missing. He added that 1,020 cattle were raided from the Gok community in the Makerdhiem cattle camp.
He noted that the situation had returned to normal as of Wednesday (yesterday). Security presence had been heightened and dialogue between the rival communities was progressive.
Cattle fetches a high value in many communities in South Sudan and Sudan since they play a big role at marriage. The youths are are some times inspired by their elders to perpetrate cattle raiding in preparation for marriage.
