South Sudan: 6 dead, houses set on fire in Leer-Mayendit intercommunal violence in Unity state  

JUBA – At least six people have been killed and nine houses set ablaze in Leer County of Unity state after armed youth from neighboring Mayendit County launched attack over dispute on tax collection in a border area, authorities there have said.

According to the minister of information of Unity state, fighting begun early on Thursday when youth from Mayendit County took their cattle to the market to sell in Leer, sparking clashes following disagreements over taxes.

That attack, Gabriel Makuei Bol said, led to the death of one person after which a revenge attack killed five people when Dok youth went to renew clash on Thursday.

“I have heard of five people killed in clashes from both sides on Thursday following the killing of one person from Mayendit County which was triggered by the fighting on Wednesday,” he said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

“It was triggered by the youth who took their cows from Mayendit to Leer County for auction there. There is a marketplace at the border between Mayendit and Leer County,” Gabriel said.

“So, when the youth went there for their cattle to be sold there, they were intimidated by some youth from Leer County, and then they clashed. One person from Mayendit County was killed. The following day Mayendit youth went to Leer County for revenge.”

According to the minister, the two counties are inaccessible making it difficult for the state government to send troops to prevent further hostilities.