The authorities of Abyei’s Rumamer’s County have accused armed youth from Twic, Warrap State of raiding over 100 cows and killing one person, and torching houses in two separate incidents this week.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Kuol Ayom, Rumamer’s acting county commissioner, said the cattle raid attack was at the Dongkech village on Wednesday.
“The cattle of Achol Ayiik were raided on Wednesday at noon in Dongkech village. The raiders suspected to be from Twic took away about 130 cattle and didn’t kill a person during the raid,” he said. “Only seven cows returned home and the rest were spotted and found at Ajak Kuach Payam of Twic county in Warrap state, this is confirmed by our intelligence personnel there.”
In a separate incident, the acting commissioner said: “On the same day, the raiders killed a youth at Rumkoor village and burned five homes in the same village.”
Kelek Kon, Abyei Area’s security advisor confirmed the incident saying security is relatively calm.
“The security situation in Abyei is fine only that there is an increase in cattle raiding and burning of houses. In the Agok area on the fifth of this month, Mabuny North and Mabuny South were burnt including houses near MSF, and some houses in Agok center. But yesterday, Wednesday, Dongkech houses were burnt by Twic youth who sneaked in and caused the destruction,” he confirmed.
However, Mangok Kom, the acting commissioner of Twic County, dismissed the accusations and instead accused the Abyei youth of planning to attack Twic.
“The security situation is fine as of now. The people of Abyei are lying, my people in Ajak Kuach are now in their places. They (Abyei youth) are the ones planning to attack our places,” he claimed. “They brought those of Nuer, even there is a Nuer commander called Majaang is heading the forces there in Rumamer county and they want to attack those of Ajak Kuach. That is why I say they are lying. My people did not cross to the river.”