At least five youths were killed after rustlers suspected to be from Ikotos County attacked Komiri Payam in Budi County in Eastern Equatoria State and raided cattle from six kraals on Monday.
The Budi County commissioner, Akileo Mboya Peter, said that during ensuing clashes, three Didinga and two Logir youths were killed.
“It is true that yesterday on Monday around midday, a group suspected to be from Ikotos County, especially from the nearby Logir community, came and raided 6 kraals of cows in Desalado Boma of Komiri Payam and that raid left five people dead. Three from Didinga and two from the Logir and two others were wounded,” Commissioner Mboya said.
He described the timing of the incident as unfortunate because the people living along Kidepo Valley are expected to assemble in Chorokol to review the peace pact that was signed in 2018 between the Didinga and Logir communities.
“This is a very unfortunate situation because it happened at a time when we are in need of peace and all the people living along Kidepo Valley are supposed to converge today (Monday) around Chorokol to review the Chorokol peace pact of 2018,” Commissioner Mboya said. “That is why I am calling it unfortunate because it came at a time when people are supposed to assemble to see how best we can create a peaceful environment along this corridor.”
He said they reported the matter to their counterparts in Ikotos County and to the state government leadership so the stolen cattle can be recovered.
A youth activist in Budi County, Namwang Stephen Karlo, said he was saddened by the cattle raid and subsequent killings and demanded that the culprits be identified, arrested, and immediately brought to book.
“This is barbaric behavior and we are always talking to our people to stop it. We are appealing that this practice should stop from today onwards and those who were involved should be arrested,” Namwang said. “I am urging the Logir community to identify and hand over those youth who went and raided the cattle from Budi such that our mutual understanding continues and we solve issues amicably.”
Attempts to reach the local authorities in Ikotos County were futile as their telephones were unreachable.