Map of Lakes State. (File photo).

At least five people have been killed and 18 others injured during fighting between cattle herders in Rumbek North County of Lakes State.

Lakes State’s Information Minister William Koji said the incident occurred in Madol Payam of Rumbek North County on Tuesday.

Koji said some of the herders suspected to have come from Luanyjang in Tonj East of Warrap State attacked the residents of Rumbek North, killing five and injuring 18 others.

He told Eye Radio that following the incident, the state government sent unspecified number of soldiers to the area and stopped the fighting.

“Yes, the community of Luanjang of Warrap State sometime used to graze in the area of Rumbek North of Lakes State, and in most cases, they caused violence so it happened again they come to Rumbek North and they repeat the same violence,” Koji said.

“They repeated the violence and carried out an attack on the community there. Five people lost their lives, and 18 other injured so there is government intervention, the government of Lake State sent in some forces to stop the violence.”

Minister Koji is urging youth from both communities to refrain from further violence, and called on the national government to disarm them.

“We are asking the government of Warrap State at least to control their youth as we are controlling our here in Lakes, let the country work for peace,” he told Eye Radio.

“And I think the last solution for this is to disarm the citizen of Warap and the Citizens of Lake State. That will help us, and leadership of the country also to intervene in such cases.”

The state official says authorities find it difficult to respond to conflict situations while the youth are heavily armed.

Efforts to reach Warrap State authorities were not successful.