Authorities in Gok and Western Lakes states have established early warning and response mechanisms to monitor and report cattle raiding practices along their common borders, a local official disclosed.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the commissioner of Duony County in Gok State, Abraham Gop Achien said the measures follow an incident in which some traders were killed and over 1,000 raided between Western Lakes and Maridi states last month.

"We have a number of armed forces available to respond to any cattle raiding activities at the border,” Achien said.

The local official pointed out that authorities are closely monitoring all cattle raiding activities between Western Lakes and Gok states.

He further said the security situation in his county is under control and urged communities to cooperate and live peacefully.

Cattle are a main source of wealth for many communities. Cattle raids and revenge attacks have claimed several lives since South Sudan’s independence in 2011.