Renewed tribal clashes kill 200 in S. Sudan

Xinhua, March 13, 2012

At least 200 people were killed and over 150 others injured in fresh tribal clashes in South Sudan's Jonglei State, officials said Monday.

"Around 223 people were killed in tribal clashes due to dispute over cattles," South Sudan's Jonglei State Governor Kuol Manyang told Xinhua by phone on Monday.

"Tribal clashes took place on Friday and Saturday between the Murle and Nuer tribes where over 300 women and children were kidnapped in addition to looting of cows belonging to the Nuer tribe," Manyang said.

Meanwhile, Philip Aguer, a spokesman of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), said in a statement that the SPLA units have arrived in the area of dispute and that the army has adopted measures to control the situation.

Tribal clashes over cattles have recently increased in South Sudan, claiming lives of hundreds of civilians.

According to UN estimates, tribal violence in South Sudan has resulted in the killing of more than 3000 people in 2011.