At least three herders were killed and another one injured in Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta North County on Wednesday after a big group of suspected Murle cattle rustlers attacked two kraals in Kachimakori and Lomeyeng payams and made off with over 2,000 head of cattle.
This prompted the youth in the area to track the footmarks of the raided cattle and clash with the raiders, leaving 3 dead, one other injured, and recovery of the cattle.
According to local authorities, two weeks ago, Murle youths promised to raid kraals in Kapoeta North but did not specify the date.
Elliaz Ikoo Lotede, the youth leader in Kapoeta North County, told this publication that the clashes happened on Wednesday morning.
“A couple of days ago, the Murle said they were already in Lotuko areas and they proceeded this side and immediately the incident happened. At around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the local youth were taking cattle for grazing and three people were killed. The kraals attacked were Kachimakori and Lomeyeng,” he narrated. “Our youth heard the gunshots from a distance but ran and fought the assailants and recovered the raided cattle from the attackers.”
Ikoo added: “Some of our youth followed the aggressors for revenge and the direction they took indicated that these are armed Murle youth.”
He said that a week ago armed Murle youth were spotted in Lafon County where they spent two days and that the youth have now confirmed that they are behind the attack.
For his part, Oleyo Akuar Nyalus, the information minister in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), said there was no official communication about their youth being engaged in any external attack. He however said an investigation will soon be launched into the matter and that those found guilty will be held accountable.
“This information has not reached us. However, we were informed that some armed groups were heading to that side of Kapoeta North and it is not clear whether these criminals are from Greater Pibor,” he said. “We are going to consult neighboring counties like Gumruk if such clashes happen because they are close to Eastern Equatoria. We shall investigate and if we get proof, we will share the report.”
Meanwhile, Oryema Emmanuel, a civil society and rights activist in Eastern Equatoria State, condemned the attack and urged the government to deploy security organs to protect civilians.
“This is sad news and it is very unfortunate for lives to be lost. The Government of Eastern Equatoria State should implement the security arrangements in the peace agreement. Civilians and their property need to be protected,” he stated. “If it is true armed Murle youths did this, the commissioner of Kapoeta North should coordinate with his counterpart in Greater Pibor to pursue these criminals. Security arrangements need to be implemented at all levels of government.”