Four people were killed in two separate incidents in Lakes State.

At least four people have been reported to have been killed and five others injured in two separate cattle-related incidents in Lakes State.

Speaking to the Aweil News Agency, the Acting Minister of Information, William Koji, said that the incidents happened this morning in one of the contested cattle camps called Awai, located in Paloch Payam of Rumbek East County. Cattle herders from the Aliab community of Rumbek Centre migrated there this morning without the knowledge of the Panyar section of Rumbek East County, which resulted in the clashes.

"What happened some time back was that these two sections agreed that all migrations should be done at once, on the 5th of February every year, to avoid further conflicts. However, the Aliab cattle camp violated that directive, which angered the Panyar section of Rumbek East and caused violence that claimed the lives of two people," William narrated.

Koji added that the two commissioners of Rumbek East and Central counties are on the ground trying to engage with both sections of Aliab of Amok-piny and Panyar of Paloch Payams to de-escalate the situation.

The other incident happened on Thursday in a cattle camp called Rel-kou in Rumbek Centre, where herders from Cuei-bet County were having a minor issue over a bull, which quickly escalated into a fight. As a result, two people lost their lives and three others were injured, he underscored.

Last week, seven people were killed and eighteen others were injured in a revenge attack in Rumbek North County.