At least 16 people including 13 women and a girl were killed in an attack in Twic County in South Sudan’s Warrap State on Monday, according to the county executive.
Twic County Commissioner Biar Biar stated the raid took place at 3:00 p.m. at Toch area. He related that 13 women and one girl were taken hostage from an area where local women go to collect straw for thatching roofs of houses.
All of them were later found shot dead in the head.
“It is an unprecedented incident, because the killing of innocent women is not acceptable. The 14 women were caught and shot in the head,” he explained.
Also at least two SPLA soldiers were killed in fighting with the raiders. “During the attack an SPLA unit called Mathiang Anyor clashed with the cattle raiders but has been unable to trace the perpetrators,” said Biar. Other sources put the number at five SPLA soldiers killed.
The commissioner accused Nuer youths from Mayom County of the attack: “Every year criminals from Unity State and Mayom County in particular come to steal cows in Warrap State.”
“Following the attack, I called the Mayom County Commissioner and I told him what happened exactly, but he denied any knowledge about the attack, he told me that it might be those who ran into the bush following the conflict in the area,” he added.
According to the Twic County commissioner, the attack also resulted in the theft of about 132 cows from the cattle camp.
Inter-state peace effort
In remarks aired on Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, the commissioner recalled earlier reconciliation efforts between Warrap and Unity states.
“After my appointment as commissioner, I held a meeting with the traditional leaders and commissioners of Unity State in which we agreed and signed a peace, so that they control the criminals who infiltrate into Warrap State,” he said.
Biar added that it will be the responsibility of the local authorities in Mayom County to return the stolen cattle to their rightful owners.
The commissioner further affirmed his commitment to provide full protection to Mayom citizens who are currently displaced into Warrap State, saying the humanitarian situation is stable owing to interventions by various aid organizations.
“Most of the local residents of Mayom County preferred to come to Warrap State after the security situation became worse in Unity State, so as commissioner I am abiding by the law to protect them,” he emphasized.
File photo