CAIRO: At least 600 people have been killed and over 26,000 cattle stolen in tribal clashes in South Sudan over the past few days. The United Nations has called on the new country to hold reconciliation talks in order to end the cycle of violence between tribes. UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General Hilde F. Johnson called for restraint after the Murle and Lou Nuer tribes began fighting in the Jonglei State. Another 1,000 people have been reportedly wounded. Although by Wednesday, the fighting had seemingly ended, Johnson still called for the country to tackle this growing problem and hold reconciliation talks with the tribes. “Peaceful dialogue is the primary means for reconciliation, and the tribal leaders need to sit down and work out their differences,” said Johnson. Between January and the end of June 2011, nearly 2,400 people had died in 330 clashes across South Sudan, according to a July UN report. Most of these casualties resulted from cattle rustling incidents in Jonglei State's Pibor County. According to a 2009 report by the International Crisis Group, “Sticks and spears have historically been used to carry out rustling and the violent disputes it often causes. However, the proliferation of small arms … changed the nature of this practice, making raiding far more deadly.” BM
