S. Sudan: 161 people killed, 29 injured in fighting between Lou-Nuer and Murle in Akobo County, Jonglei State

More terribly sad news coming out of southern Sudan.  Reportedly, some 161 people from Lou Nuer group have been killed and 29 injured in an attack on Geni River at Mareng, 40 Kilometers south west Akobo Town in Jonglei State, South Sudan following an attack by gunmen yesterday, Sunday, August 2nd.  

Apparently, the fighting broke out yesterday between Lou-Nuer and Murle communities. According to news filed here below, the attackers, who carried out their raid at dawn, are believed to be one of the groups of Murle tribesmen that had attacked Lony village on July 29 and reportedly killing a couple and abducting a child.  Further details here below.

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 03 August 2009:
161 People Killed in Akobo County Attack

(Khartoum) – One hundred and sixty-one people have been killed in an attack in Akobo county, Jonglei state.

The attackers, who are allegedly from Pibor county, attacked Mareng payam in western Akobo on Sunday. One hundred women and fifty children were killed in the attack. Eleven SPLA soldiers also died as they tried to defend the civilians.

Our correspondent in Bor, Sirocco Mayom sent this report:

[Sirocco Mayom]: “The commissioner said that 161 people were confirmed dead in the Akobo county clashes. The fighting broke out on Sunday between Lou-Nuer and Murle communities. According to the commissioner, five attackers were killed but they killed 100 women and 50 children, and 11 SPLA soldiers who were deployed around the civilian camp who were displaced during the first violence three months ago. When the attack took place, the SPLA were attempting to defend the civilians or end the fighting. When some of them were killed, the force decided to withdraw. The cause of the fighting is still not clear because the area that was attacked doesn’t have cows; people there were just depending on food relief.”

That was our correspondent, Sirocco Mayom, reporting from Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.

From Sudan Tribune by Philip Thon Aleu, Monday 3 August 2009:
BREAKING NEWS: Gunmen kill 161 people in Jonglei’s Akobo

August 3, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – Some 161 people from Lou Nuer group are counted dead and 29 injured in Akobo County following gunmen attack on August 2, officials say here.

Speaking at an emotional press conference in Bor Town Monday, Commissioner Goi Jooyul Yol detailed that 100 women, 50 children and 11 SPLA soldiers are among the dead during the attack on Geni River at Mareng, 40 Kilometers south west Akobo Town.

"Of the 29 wounded, 3 are SPLA and the rest are civilians,” he added.

The attackers, who carried out their raid at dawn, are believed to be one of the groups of Murle tribesmen that had attacked Lony village on July 29 and reportedly killing a couple and abducting a child.

Rest In Peace + + + God bless the children of Sudan.

Click on Jonglei label here below for previous reports and latest updates.

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