A herdsman and a 10-year-old boy were killed in an attack by armed assailants on the outskirts of Muruou village in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area’s (GPAA) Verthet County on Sunday, authorities said.
Oleyo Akwer Nyalus, the GPAA Information minister, told Radio Tamazuj that the motive of the attack was not known as the assailants killed the herders and fled the scene without taking any cattle.
“On Sunday, a cattle camp in Muruou village was attacked, leaving a man and a 10-year-old boy who were looking after calves, dead,” he said. “Those attackers then fled without taking the cattle.”
Akwer, who serves as the government mouthpiece there said elements from GPAA’s Jebel Boma County were involved in the attack which he condemned as groundless. He decried the deteriorating security situation in parts of GPAA with the latest incident being the last week’s clashes in the same area of Muruou.
“The attackers were identified to be from the Jie Community of Jebel Boma. Their motive was not known because they did not go away with the cattle. Such attacks are now rampant. Last week, youth from Kapoeta attacked the same area and raided about 54 calves which were later recovered after the attackers were fought off,” he said. “As a government, we condemn these attacks and appeal for calm. There has been no calm in areas of GPAA like Muruou, Jebel Boma, and Pochalla recently.”
“Our chief administrator is planning to embark on rallies to preach peace in the areas and later, a peace conference will be held to restore peace,” Minister Akwer concluded.