Rumbek — Three people, including two teachers and one pastoralist, were killed on Tuesday in inter-communal revenge attacks in Akuel-jok village, south-west of Rumbek East county in Lakes state.

Authorities identified the dead as Dut Makur Temthok, a headmaster of the local Mathiang primary school, and Malual Mayom Ayuop, a teacher at the same school.

The inter-communal clash was triggered by the killing of Mabor Maker Meen, popularly known by his nickname, Morher. Meen is suspected to have been killed in the remote village of Ayen-mayar by pastoralist youth from Pamany, a sub-section of the Kok Dinka tribe.

Tribal members from the Pathoth sub-section allegedly took revenge for Meen's death by killing the two teachers.

A total of three people were confirmed dead in Tuesday clashes, with tensions remaining high.

The state government has responded by deploying a joint security force in the area but no suspects have been arrested in relation to the murders.

In February, the caretaker governor of Lakes State, Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol, ordered the mass arrest of members of the Kok Dinka tribe. A total of 50 people from the Pathoth and Pamany sub-sections were arrested and detained in Langcok military prison, although no charges were brought against them in court.

The revenge cycle in Rumbek has been the scene of a violent cycle of revenge attacks, fuelled by an ineffective justice system and abuse committed against youth who are not a part of the inter-communal conflict.