Authorities in Uror County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State have expressed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the county amidst a rise in cattle-related incidents over the past weeks.
Uror County Commissioner Tang Chatim told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the local population has been unable to cultivate as the rain starts because of fears of imminent attacks while in the fields.
He raised the concern following a Sunday morning attack in which one person was killed and a herdsman seriously injured during an encounter with suspected cattle raiders in Pathet village.
“Over the past few weeks, cattle raids have been on the rise in Uror. On Sunday morning, our youth clashed with cattle raiders attempting to steal cattle in Pathet village, Padiet Payam. There, one person was killed and the other injured. Fortunately, the attackers were not able to take any cow,” Tang said.
He added, “Such attacks are occurring repeatedly. As a result, people are not able to go farming. And even movements to Bor and other areas are becoming difficult. This is affecting our livelihoods.”
Commissioner Tang blamed the insecurity on armed youth groups from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and called on the authorities there to intervene, warning that such attacks may lead to more cyclic violence.
Major Tuong Ruai, the county police inspector, admitted that the security situation had worsened in the past weeks and they could not protect civilians due to logistical challenges.
“As police, we have a presence in Uror. We are unable to efficiently protect our civil populations because of logistical challenges. In the county, we do not have any vehicles, so we can not reach remote areas or provide patrols,” he stressed.
For his part, Lokali Amae, a lawmaker in the GPAA legislative council, condemned the recurring attacks in Uror and said they will work with the authorities there to restore peace and security.
“We were informed of these incidents. But we do not know who are these youth carrying out the attacks. We will try to investigate. And in the following weeks, we will move to the grassroots to preach peace. Indeed, we are in peace with Lou Nuer, and none of our youth should attack them, or even and other neighboring communities,” he said.
Communities in Jonglei State and the GPAA have for long been wrangling leading to cattle raids and child abductions. In March, during the grassroots peace initiative held in Uror’s Pieri town, the rival communities agreed to end all forms of violence, but several violations continue to be reported.