22 April 2006 (Nairobi) – The Murle militia attacked Pochalla town twice in two consecutive days, on 13 and 14 April 2006, a day after they stole 51 cattle from Ajwara village in Adongo Payam. The militia attacked Tierlul North of Pochalla town, a residence of civilians and Lokrien East of the town, which is an inhabitant of armies’ families. The raid claimed lives of 5 persons from both sides.

The King worked very hard with the Murle chiefs to retrieve the stolen cattle. We are told that all cattle but two have been returned.

According to the source, the town fell under attack after 3 weeks of peace and reconciliation Conference held in Gumrok, Pibor County that brought the warring communities from Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria together to agree to end the inter-tribal conflict.

However, Pochalla town residents were surprised to hear the news of Murle stealing Ajwara village’s cattle.
 
Meanwhile, Ethiopian army threatened to attack the town on April 12, 2006, but returned at nearly 7kms, about an hour’s walk to Pochalla town and almost 40 minutes to face Pochalla men.

3,000 troops, which entered Pochalla territory, through Omella and Tedo villages in Buraator Payam, headed to town after looting villages, and beating up residents. They however, went back after the sun rose while they were still walking between Nyiom village and Pochalla town.

“We are standby to face the army who are in thirsty of border wars, but Murle raiders take advantage of the situation and raided the town behind us,” said a source, in referring to Ethiopian army’s attempt to invade Pochalla County.

The mission of Ethiopian troops’ attempt to invade the town is not known. But some sources alleged that Ethiopian government has poured complaints to Sudanese 1st Vice President and President of Government of Southern Sudan, Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir to hand over 5 Pochalla leaders; among them Member of Parliament and high-ranking SPLA/M officials. Until now is not clear whether the Ethiopian army are strategizing to come back, the community leaders are looking to President Kiir to solve the problem their town is facing, said a reliable source from Pochalla who pleaded for his name not to be mentioned in the report.

In Akobo the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SUDAN (PCOS) general assembly that was to be held in Akobo town in early April 2006, ended in void. The convention was cancelled when the delegates from different parishes in the Southern Sudan had arrived at the venue in Akobo town. The source alleged that the conference was to discuss appointment of new Associate Moderator, others senior Presbytery officers among others church strategise when the Akobo town Commissioner interrupted the conference. According to one Source, the Commissioner interrupted the church Meeting since he saw that his tribesmen would not be luck to be appointed a new Associate Moderator again. 

There is also an outbreak of disease in Pochalla. It is terrifying because there are no medical services. The disease is not identified.   

(staff reporter in Nairobi)