The youth from the Toposa communities in Kuron in Kapoeta East County have since Monday blocked Kuron-Boma Road over child abductions and cattle raids for which they fault the Murle from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
This comes after the local authorities in Kuron accused Murle of abducting 4 children recently and raiding over 1,500 head of cattle in the last two weeks.
On 22 September, unknown criminals entered Morwale village in Kapoeta East, stabbed a mother, and grabbed her infant son.
Kapoeta East County Commissioner Abdalla Angelo confirmed to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that movement along the Kuron-Boma road has been blocked following the abduction of children and cattle raids.
“There is a problem of cattle raids and child abductions. The abduction of children is worse. On 22 September, Murle tribesmen came and found got a woman on her farm, grabbed her child, and stabbed her. Before that, they also abducted 4 children in a place called Morwale,” he explained. “This is what angered the youth in the area and they blocked vehicles from crossing the road from Kuron to Boma. The Pibor administration should also know that the citizens in the Kuron area need peace.”
“If they want to steal, let them steal cattle to satisfy their hunger but not someone’s child because this is what is bringing problems for the people of Pibor,” Commissioner Angelo added.
However, the GPAA authorities denied that Murle youth were involved in abducting children in Kapoeta East County.
GPAA Information Minister Abraham Keleng confirmed the closure but denied allegations that Murle youths were the perpetrators of the crimes. He said that on the contrary, armed Toposa youths raided over 1,000 heads of cattle from Jebel Boma last month.
“I am aware of the information (road closure) and in communication with authorities in Eastern Equatoria State to confirm the reason why the youth blocked the road. The Toposa raided over 1,000 cattle from Boma,” he said. “People are at peace and we do not have any problem. On allegations that there is the abduction of children and raiding of cattle by the youth of Jebel Boma going that side, it is not true. Our youth did not go there but it is them (Toposa) who came and took cattle and we told our youth not to raid in revenge.”
Minister Keleng urged Eastern Equatoria State authorities to open the Kuron-Boma Road and said the GPAA is committed to maintaining peace and cooperation. He said GPAA authorities and citizens were shocked by the closure of the road, saying it hinders service delivery and the movement of essential commodities.
“The Government of Eastern Equatoria should have informed us because we agreed on peaceful co-existence and political cooperation. We are surprised about all because we convinced our people that this vital road should remain open and nobody should interfere along this road,” Keleng said. “We are appealing to the Toposa youth who blocked the road and the Government of Eastern Equatoria to talk to the youth to reopen the road because it is very important.”
Meanwhile, James Natabu, a SPLM-IO lawmaker in the Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, welcomed the closure of the road saying most of the vehicles plying the route ferry criminals who intend to abduct children and or raid cattle.
“Indeed, these vehicles sometimes are the ones bringing criminals from Murle and when they reach somewhere along the roads, they will be dropped for them to abduct these children,” he charged. “These vehicles also carry arms dealers who bring bullets to these youths that is why they try to block this road. However, we are still engaging with them (youth) to open the road. A government road should not be used for wrong acts.”