OMM Newsroom
At least 72 people have been killed in cattle raids in South Sudan’s northern Warrap state, according to the regional government, BBC World reported.
An unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes were burned in what state authorities described as a “co-ordinated attack” involving two communities in Tonj North county on Monday.
The clashes occurred near the border between Warrap and Unity states, in the area of Akop Payam. Some members of the Lou Ariik community were said to have attacked people from the Apuk Padoch community.
Deadly violence in the area is often part of a cycle of revenge attacks. Cattle are a major source of wealth and pride for many communities, and young men also need them to pay dowries when marrying.
William Wol Mayom Bol, Warrap state’s information minister, said Monday’s clashes followed violence on Friday that killed eight people.
State Governor Angelo Ngot Mayar offered condolences to the bereaved families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded. He said efforts were under way to recover the cattle and find those responsible for the attack.
The state has appealed to humanitarian partners to assist vulnerable women, children and elderly people left without food, shelter or medicine.
In August, at least 60 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack in the same area of Warrap state, according to Acled, a non-profit conflict monitoring group. A similar attack in March left 58 people dead and 71 injured.
Last year, a six-month state of emergency was declared in Warrap in an effort to curb rising violence.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about the situation in South Sudan as the world’s youngest country prepares for presidential elections scheduled for December.
The election was initially delayed by the civil war, which ended in 2018 with a fragile peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar.
Tensions between the leaders led to further delays. Machar was dismissed as vice-president and arrested earlier last year, and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity, charges he denies.
He has been under house arrest in the capital, Juba, since March last year, while fighting continues in some parts of the country.
Preparations for the election have fallen behind schedule, and human rights groups have questioned whether the country can complete key tasks, including voter registration and security arrangements, before the vote.
