At least two suspected Murle robbers were killed, and several others sustained injuries over the weekend during a thwarted cattle raid in Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta East County.
According to officials, on Saturday, armed youth suspected to be from the Murle community of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) attempted to rustle cattle belonging to the Toposa community of the Kauto Administrative Area at a place called Kiire. However, the Toposa youth successfully repelled the attack and recovered all stolen cattle.
Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister Elia John Ahaji told the press that they have information that a significant number of Murle youth remain in the nearby forests, planning further cattle raids in Kapoeta East County and the Kauto Administrative Area.
“Such actions pose a serious threat to the fragile peace and security that both governments and local communities are striving to maintain,” he said.
Minister Elia strongly condemned the raids and the organization of armed groups in the bushes with the intention to attack peaceful communities. He urged Murle community leaders, elders, and peace-loving individuals to immediately take action, and urged the youth to return home and prioritize peaceful dispute resolution.
He said the Eastern Equatoria government is committed to collaborating with authorities in neighboring jurisdictions to restore calm, prevent further violence, and pursue accountability.
For his part, GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum Juok said they had no information about the incident.
“First and foremost, we are unaware of the occurrence, and we have no youth present in that area,” he stated. “These communities are cattle keepers.”
He suggested the perpetrators could be from within Eastern Equatoria State or possibly the Toposa themselves and insisted that local authorities must conduct thorough investigations before jumping to conclusions.
“The relationship ties directly to the higher authorities of Eastern Equatoria. We are committed to meeting, sharing ideas, and coordinating responses to address incidents, and work towards a common goal of defusing tensions at the border,” he said. “We must collaborate as a government to address criminal activities in these border areas.”
He reiterated the importance of open communication and urged the Eastern Equatoria government to establish a system for better coordination on security matters.
“We seek peace and cooperation, and we must avoid scapegoating one another for the actions of a few criminals,” Minister Werchum concluded.