AWEIL – At least two people have died from injuries sustained in violent clashes between local farmers and Rezigat nomads at the Kiir-Adem border point in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan.
Majok Deng Akuacdit, the Secretary of the Dinka Malual Peace Committee based in Gok-Machar, told this publication on Wednesday via phone that the two incidents occurred last week amid escalating tensions between local farmers and Arab nomads, who are in the process of returning to their places of origin in Sudan.
Akuacdit explained that in the first incident, an elderly farmer, Juac Deng Juac, was attacked while tilling his land in Kiir-Adem Payam at the border.
“Three nomads were driving their cattle onto his farm,” Akuacdit said. “When Juac Deng asked why they were letting their cattle graze on his crops, they responded harshly, leading to an altercation.”
During the confrontation, one of the nomads struck Juac Deng on the head with a heavy piece of wood, causing him to lose consciousness. He later succumbed to his injuries. In the chaos, Juac Deng’s daughter wounded one of the nomads with a knife, cutting his finger.
“The perpetrator who killed Juac Deng is currently detained in Gok-Machar, where he is also receiving medical treatment,” Akuacdit added.
In a separate incident, another farmer, Mou Thiep Diing, was killed following a dispute with Arab nomads. Akuacdit recounted, “At a local pub along the Kiir River, where people gather to drink, Mou Thiep struck one of the nomads with a thick stick. In retaliation, the nomad stabbed him with a knife, and Mou Thiep died from his injuries.”
The peace committee secretary noted that these incidents are under investigation by local peace committees. Akuacdit attributed the rising tensions to delayed rains and drought, which have prevented the nomads from returning to Sudan as stipulated in prior agreements. “The nomads have not moved back with their cattle as agreed due to the drought,” he said.
Akuacdit also mentioned a separate case currently in court, involving two nomads. One nomad allegedly eloped with another’s wife and fled with her to Aweil town, where he was apprehended and is now detained.
Majok urged local residents to exercise restraint, reminding them of the agreements stipulating that nomads must return to their areas of origin by mid-June and are permitted to arrive on January 15. He emphasised that adherence to these timelines could prevent further clashes between farmers and nomads.
This may not solve well because the all leaders of DINKA MALUAL are not stakeholder in peace..
Im very sad for dead of our farmer like that.
1 My question is what was agreement between ARAB PEOPLE & DINKA MALUAL.
2 what is the punishment that will give to them as victims