Local authorities in Duk County, Jonglei State, said the security situation has worsened during the Christmas and New Year festivities, with an increase in cattle raids and road ambushes.
County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the latest incident occurred Tuesday when a man was killed after pedestrians were attacked by armed assailants on the outskirts of Duk Padiet town.
“On Dec. 24, a cattle camp was attacked in Duk Padiet, resulting in the injury of a herder and the theft of 13 cattle. On Dec. 30, 24 cattle were stolen, and later that day, a man was killed in a road ambush, sparking fears among residents,” he said.
Ruei condemned the attacks and said local youth were pursuing the raiders to recover the stolen cattle. “Our youth have yet to return. They are still tracking the assailants to recover the stolen animals,” he said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the commissioner accused youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) of involvement.
Multiple calls to GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum Jouk were not answered.
Cattle raids and road ambushes are common in Jonglei State and the GPAA, with both local governments blaming each other’s youth.
Decades of peace-building efforts by the government and development partners in the region have yet to yield significant results.