The Bor Community in Juba on Monday demanded investigations into the killing of 41 herders at cattle camps in Eastern Equatoria State’s Magwi County.
On January 31, suspected combined armed youth from Pibor and Eastern Equatoria attacked a cattle camp at Nyolo Village, Aru Junction, killing 41 herders and injuring 65 others.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Bor Community Chairperson, Dr Angok Gordon Kuol, called on the government to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the mayhem.
“We unequivocally condemn these heinous crimes in the strongest terms possible. The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy that should shake the conscience of every South Sudanese. We call upon the Government of South Sudan to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this horrific incident. Those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice so that such barbaric acts never occur again,” Kuol said.
He called upon the youth from Jonglei to refrain from further retaliatory violence.
“We urge our people to remain calm and refrain from retaliatory violence. Further bloodshed will only deepen our wounds and hinder our path to peace. Instead, we call upon national and international humanitarian agencies to swiftly intervene and assist the wounded, the owners of the looted livestock, and the grieving families,” he said.
Magwi County Commissioner Pole Pole Benjamin Olum said the identity of the attackers remained unknown as the herders denied access to the forces dispatched to investigate the matter.
“The identity of the attackers remains unknown since the forces dispatched there were denied access to the scene by the cattle herders,” he said.
Olum called upon the National Government to deploy additional SSPDF forces to enhance the law and order in state.