The Hiyalla community of the Otuho tribe in Eastern Equatoria State on Wednesday paid 35 head of cattle to the family of a Dinka man from Bor who was killed along the Torit-Kapoeta highway last year.
The deceased 46-year-old Abraham Magot Kuol, a police sergeant, was shot dead at the Hiyalla Junction on the 30 October 2022 at 8 pm while escorting cattle destined for sale in Juba from Kapoeta.
According to local authorities, the late started shooting at local youth in Hiyalla before he was killed.
Jacob Mading, a relative of the deceased confirmed receipt of the cattle and appreciated the state government and the Hiyalla traditional authorities and youth for resolving the issue.
“If someone kills your relative and admits fault, your heart will be calm and you will resolve the matter. Although we have not seen the killer, we are convinced that this compensation is a gesture of peace and it has to continue,” he said. “We know mistakes happen and we can talk about it. The cattle have been brought although we did not agree on the number but the government was able to talk to the people of Hiyalla. I am saying this is a sign of peace and we accept it because you did not intend it and we did not intend or have any problem with you (Hiyalla).”
Mading urged the government to continue guiding its citizens for peace to prevail across the state and the country at large
For his part, Martin Odong, the representative of the suspect admitted the killing and asked for forgiveness because the killing was unintentional.
“We have no problem with the government and the family of the deceased and we are very sorry. We have given what was requested from us and we do not have any problem with the people of Bor,” he said. “We request you take them because we are giving the cattle in good faith and there should be no problem between us again.”
Meanwhile, Torit County Commissioner Jacob Attari Albano says the state government is tired of atrocities committed by the community in Hiyalla Payam even after repeated appeals for them to stop. He however appreciated them for heeding the government’s call to pay the compensation so that peace prevails.
“The government decided that the peace and justice mission is the last option for peace for our people and now people can move to and from Torit to Hiyalla, Ikotos, and other places,” he said. “If people move without fear, I am happy.”
The Eastern Equatoria State minister for local government and law enforcement agencies, Peter Lokeng Lotone, urged relatives of the deceased to remain calm and appreciated the Hiyalla community for accepting the government’s request to compensate the family of the murdered policeman.
Last year, pastoralists from Bor in Jonglei State who were grazing cattle in parts of Eastern Equatoria State, particularly in Lowoi in Torit County and Magwi County, severally accused armed Otuho youth of raiding their cattle. The largely farming communities in Eastern Equatoria also complained that cattle were destroying their crops. This prompted the government to intervene and order Bor cattle out of Eastern Equatoria.