Lugar frets over Sudanese conflicts WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- The "genesis of dozens of violent conflicts" in an independent South Sudan erases some of the confidence for regional peace, a U.S. lawmaker said. This week, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan expressed concern about renewed clashes in Jonglei state that were triggered by cattle raids. At least 1,000 people were killed in the region in recent months, Most of the victims were women and children. U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he was concerned about displacement along the border between the two Sudans. "I am also concerned about the genesis of dozens of violent conflicts that have erupted within the borders of the new South Sudan," he said. South Sudan gained independence in July under the terms of a peace deal reached with Washington's help in 2005. "This is a country where people fought for years to be free of subjugation by Khartoum," said Lugar. We had hoped that independence would lead them to set aside their tribal differences and work together to build a new nation. Actor and activist George Clooney testified that "war crimes" were likely committed by the Sudanese government during recent border clashes. Clooney and other activists were arrested Friday during protests in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.