Deadly Land Dispute in Rumbek North County Leaves 20 Dead and 34 Injured
A land dispute between neighboring communities in Rumbek North County has resulted in the deaths of 20 people and left 34 others wounded. The clashes occurred between the Pakam community of Lakes State and the Luanyjang community of Warrap State in the early hours of Wednesday.
The violence took place in Alor Payam and was confirmed by the police spokesperson in Lakes State, Maj. Elijah Mabor Makuac, on 31st January, 2024.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) strongly condemned the deadly violence, highlighting the growing trend of armed conflicts over land disputes in the country.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, expressed concern over the dangerous trend developing among communities regarding boundary disputes.
He called for the leadership of the council of state, along with the states and administrative areas, to develop a strategy for handling land ownership and boundary issues across the country. With the upcoming electoral process expected in December 2024, Yakani warned that this trend may worsen and threaten peace and social cohesion among communities.
The alarming number of lives lost in the first month of 2024 due to armed communal violence is a cause for concern.
A total of 124 lives have been killed, 129 injured, and 23 individuals, mostly women and children, have been abducted. The main triggers for these violent incidents are land disputes and armed cattle raiding, often leading to retaliatory attacks.
Mr. Yakani emphasized the urgent need for concrete action from the country’s leadership. He urged communities to refrain from resorting to violence and encouraged the use of dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
The escalating violence and loss of life in land disputes highlight the need for immediate intervention and a comprehensive strategy to address the underlying issues. Failure to do so may have dire consequences for the country’s stability and the well-being of its communities.
