Chief, youth leader jailed over communal violence in Jonglei

The high court in Jonglei State last Thursday sentenced a traditional leader and a local youth leader to one year and six months in prison respectively for inciting inter-communal clashes that left over 30 dead. The incident in Wangole area occurred in 2011 following a dispute between the Ayual and Daichuek communities over church land. The court has also ordered the youth leader to pay a fine of 50,000 SSP. 21 others, who include 15 from the Ayual community and the rest from Daichuek, were fined 50,000 SSP each for involvement in the clashes. The presiding judge, John Yel Aleu told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the high court issued Thursday’s ruling after attempts by the two communities to settle the case outside the court failed since 2013. “The head chief of Ayual community, Bol Manyok is jailed for one year.  The youth leader of Ayual community, Bul Mayual has been sentenced to jail for six months and a fine of  50,000 SSP. 21 other people, 15 from Ayual and 8 from Daichuek will each pay a fine of 50, 000 SSP.  Failure to pay will result in a prison sentence of up to six months,” Aleu explained. He pointed out that the two communities will pay 51 cows for each of the persons killed on either side. “Those injured during the fight were 27 from both sides. They will each be compensated depending on the Dinka customs,” he added. Aleu ruled that the disputed church be communally owned for prayers only.