The local authorities in Abyei Special Administrative Area’s Mijak County on Thursday said 36 sheep out of 54 that were raided on Tuesday by suspected Messeriya youths have been recovered and will returned to their rightful owners in Tacalei Payam.
Mijak County Commissioner Luar Mayol Deng told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that he received the 36 sheep in the Amiet area of Abyei’s Ameth Aguok County.
“The security situation in the eastern part of Mijak County has improved lately compared to last month although some raids happened and it was done by armed youths suspected to be from the Nuer of Ajak Kuac backed by a small group from Twic. However, this week, northern parts are stable, he explained. “Messeriya armed men raided about 54 sheep on Tuesday from Tacalei Payam and today, Thursday, 36 sheep were recovered. Our relations with the Messeriya Arabs have not been good lately because some of their people have been committing some small crimes.”
Commissioner Mayol added: “I am now in the Amiet area of Ameth Aguok County receiving the 36 stollen sheep from the local peace committee and the rightful owners in Tacalei will receive them tomorrow.”
He credited the peace committees for the improved security situation and for contributing positively to the recovery of the stolen sheep.
Meanwhile, Malith Ajak, the chief of Tacalei Payam who doubles as the chairperson of the peace committee in Abyei, confirmed the recovery of the sheep and called upon humanitarian organizations to support the local peace committees to carry out peace activities and initiatives.
“As neighboring communities, we love to stay together and there is a saying; ‘accept yourselves so that there is no chaos and insecurity among the bordering people.’ The peace committee is concerned about peace and strives to protect communities at the borders,” he stated. “The return of the 36 sheep today (Thursday) is a good thing and I will make sure they reach the owners in Tacalei village as the rest of the sheep are being located. If and when they are found, we will hand them back to the people of Tacalei in Mijak County.”
Chief Ajak said that the peace committee resumed its work actively last September and called upon humanitarian partners to support them in fomenting peace among the neighboring communities from Sudan and South Sudan.