At least three people were killed and seven others wounded Thursday in an attack on a cattle camp in the Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) by suspected youth from Unity State.
The RAA government condemned the attack on the Athoony Cattle Camp and a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) garrison in Athoony Payam, calling it a “barbaric” act by heavily armed militia.
Simon Chol Mialith, RAA minister of information, culture, youth and sport, said the attackers stole more than 5,000 cattle, though 4,548 were later recovered with the help of security forces. RAA authorities disputed claims by Unity State officials that all the cattle had been returned.
Among the dead was one SSPDF officer. The wounded were taken to Juba for treatment.
The RAA government called on Unity State authorities to recover the remaining cattle and hold those responsible accountable. Officials also urged peaceful coexistence between the communities.
Meanwhile, Unity State Information Minister Gatwech Bipal Both told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the state government had successfully recovered and returned 388 stolen cattle to RAA. He said the move was a step toward strengthening peace and cooperation between the two regions.
“In a coordinated effort led by the 4th Infantry Division, 100 cattle were recovered in a morning operation under Maj. Gen. Pul Jang Top, followed by an additional 288 in an evening operation. The 388 cattle were handed over to their owners in Lapapam, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Rotriak Town in Rubkona County,” he said.