Agiu Athuai Agiu, a member of the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly representing Marial-Bai under the SPLM ruling party, has highlighted a recent surge in cattle raids in his constituency over the past two days, allegedly perpetrated by local youth believed to be from Warrap State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Agiu revealed that the incidents occurred on May 25th, 26th, and 28th. He explained, “On the 25th, a group of youth from Apuk, self-identified as Titbai, raided the areas of Jur River County in Wan-bai. They entered the area called Akuem – Agok, looting 16 cows, 30 goats, and kidnapping a young girl.”
While some of the animals were recovered by the deployed police and army units, four cows and 30 goats remain missing. Agiu stated, “The police and army pursued them, recovering 12 cows, but four cows and 30 goats are still missing. Then, on the 26th, they returned to Wun-Ngot and set fire to five thatch houses. They were not pursued due to being armed.”
“On the 28th (Tuesday), they once again raided the area called Ko-Lol, stealing 30 cows. The army and police were alerted, and a confrontation ensued. The army managed to recover 10 cows, while the perpetrators escaped with 26,” Agiu elaborated.
During the clashes, security forces apprehended one attacker dressed in military uniform, who claimed affiliation with division (11) based in Warrap State. Agiu confirmed, “One soldier was captured in uniform, admitting his association with division (11). He is currently in military custody in Nyina-Akok.”
Agiu reported that on the 14th of this month, a team comprising high-ranking security leaders visited the affected areas and urged the local population to maintain peace without resorting to violence. The delegation included General Santino Deng Wol, Chief of Staff of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, General Atem Marol, Inspector General of Police, and General Akol Khor Kuc, Director of the National Security Service, accompanied by Warrap State Governor Kuol Muor Muor and Western Bahr el Ghazal Deputy Governor Zackaria Joseph Garang.
“These recent attacks occurred following a visit by a security committee to these areas, where they advised the civilian population in Manyang to refrain from engaging in hostilities,” he explained.
Agiu noted that the recent attacks compelled many returning civilians to flee the areas once again. “These attacks over the past three days have forced civilians who were in the process of returning to their homes to flee once more,” he emphasized.
The MP highlighted that approximately 30 villages, comprising around 17,000 households, are now gripped by fear. “About 30 households, where people could have returned to reoccupy, are now fleeing. The areas of Ko-Lol, Akuem-Agok, Wunlid, and up to Thilic are affected, with approximately 17,000 households unable to return home,” he revealed.
Agiu urged the two sisterly states to expedite the deployment of robust forces in these areas to facilitate the safe return of citizens for farming purposes. “We require the deployment of forces in Akuem-Agok, Riang-Alek, Thilic, and Ko-Lol, where these criminals are carrying out attacks,” he stressed.
While acknowledging the commitments of the two states to resolve the conflict, Agiu expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the forces currently deployed in these areas. “There are commitments from the two states, but the issue lies with the forces deployed there. One of these divisions is exacerbating the situation on the ground. The government cannot deploy any force other than Division 5, Division 3, and Division 11,” he remarked.
Over the past two years, the Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap communities of Apuk-Giir and Marial-Wau have been embroiled in a cycle of conflict, resulting in over 100 deaths, the destruction of homes, and the loss of property, leading to the displacement of over 35,000 people.