Deaths in South Sudan tribal clash

Rising wave of tribal violence in South Sudan has killed more than 2,000 people.

uncertain future in Abyei
Tribal disputes caused by cattle rustling and long-running feuds have displaced 250,000 people

Fears

Rival tribes from Sudan’s underdeveloped south have clashed for years in disputes often caused by cattle rustling and long-running feuds, but violence has soared this year.

The United Nations said the attacks could mar preparations for Sudan’s for national and presidential elections due in April 2010.

Lise Grady, a UN Humanitarian Coordinator for southern Sudan, told Al Jazeera that “The area was not previously affected by the food crisis or inter-tribal violence and it’s not inconceivable that this is a politically motivated attack linked to the upcoming elections.”

The elections are required under the 2005 peace deal that ended the north-south civil war.

Sudan is also scheduled to hold a referendum in January 2011 on whether South Sudan should become independent.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies