Cattle raid claims nine lives in Twic East County
Heavily armed raiders in military uniform attacked a cattle camp on Thursday evening, August 8, after cattle herders had just returned from grazing, said Dau Akoi Jurkuch, Commissioner of Twic East County, whilst speaking to journalists in Juba.
The raiders killed eight people in Alelei cattle camp. Five other people have been wounded. Those killed are youth who were taking care of the cattle,” said Jurkuch.
One raider was also killed during the attack,” he added.
We estimate the number of cattle stolen was between 5,000 and 10,000.”
Jurkuch said the attackers stole all the cattle from the camp. We estimate the number of cattle stolen was between 5,000 and 10,000,” he said.
Jurkuch said based on the tribal marks seen on the dead raider’s body, the attackers were Murle tribesman from neighbouring Pibor County.
Joshua Madit, the Acting Commissioner during Jurkuch’s absence, says county officials have sent some police and soldiers to try to pursue the raiders and recover the stolen cattle.
South Sudan’s military spokesman, Col. Philip Aguer, confirmed the attack but said he was still awaiting details of casualty figures from local leaders.
Aguer says due to difficulties in communicating with SPLA commanders stationed in Gadiang near the affected area, he is unable to establish what the army has done following the incident.
Twic East County has witnessed several cattle raiding attacks in recent months after the South Sudan army disarmed civilians in the area, a move which left them vulnerable to raiders.
We encourage the peaceful co-existence of all the communities in Jonglei State.”
Deng Dau Deng, a Member of Parliament representing Twic East County in South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly in Juba, called for dialogue among rival communities to end cattle raiding and the violence associated with it.
We encourage the peaceful co-existence of all the communities in Jonglei State. This is not time for cattle raiding,” said Deng.
Cattle raiding attacks are common among South Sudan’s cattle keeping communities. However, the raids have become more frequent and deadly in recent years due to easy access to modern weapons.
