At least seven people were reportedly killed and two others injured in Surei Village of Dollo Payam in Juba County, Central Equatoria State after suspected armed Mundari cattle herders attacked the village over the weekend.

Addressing the press on Monday after meeting Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony, the chairperson of Nyangwara Community, Salah Rajab Bunduki, said the fighting started on 11 January in the cattle camps among the cattle herders, however, they were shocked to see them coming to the village and shooting at civilians

“On 11 January, clashes broke out in a cattle camp in one of our bomas among the cattle herders but to our surprise, after this incident, the cattle herders came up to where the villagers are residing and started shooting at the civilians,” he said.

According to Bunduki, the incident left seven people dead and two others injured. He said the wounded are receiving treatment at the Kuda Primary Health Care Center.

The community leader said more than 4,500 people are displaced from the three villages of Surei, kuda Na Kumi and Kuda Na Jeremiah and are currently sheltering in Kuda center.

“The entire Surei Boma in Dollo Payam is completely burned, all properties including goats and other available items, have been looted,” he said. “The people displaced are from three villages; Surei, kuda Na Kumi and Kuda NA Jeremiah, and they are over 3,000.”

Bunduki condemned the violence and urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to book. He also appealed for humanitarian aid for the displaced people.