The acting
minister of information in the Ruweng Administrative Area has called for peace
dialogue with the neighboring Unity State.
“We are
calling for peace dialogue between us and Unity State,” Santo Lol Manyiel told
Mayardit FM on Monday.
There has
been a growing case of insecurity in the region, characterized by killings,
cattle rustling, and road ambushes.
At the
weekend, 19 people, including government officials, were reportedly killed
along the Pan Akuach-Kasara road in Link County.
Manyiel said
the government officials had just handed over 42 heads of cattle to Unity State
authorities when they came under attack.
Of the
victims, 12 were government officials.
The animals
had been stolen, forcing the administrative area to recover and return them to
the rightful owners in Unity.
He accused
armed youth from the neighboring Unity State of being behind the attack.
Manyiel
added that the attackers burned down four villages, an oil facility, and a
police station in Pan Akuach Payam.
“The former
Pan Akuach Payam director was trying to run to the Tukul. But the attackers set
it on fire. He died inside the hut,” he added.
Mayardit
FM’s attempts to reach Unity State government for comment were not immediately
successful.