At least 22 people have been killed, three injured and thousands displaced in a series of attacks in Mundri East County of Western Equatoria state since March 9, residents and local authorities said.
Officials said the attacks were allegedly carried out by Mundari cattle raiders from Terekeka County in neighboring Central Equatoria state, targeting cattle-keeping communities.
A local resident, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the violence had affected several areas, including Minga and Lozoh payams.
He said 17 people were killed in Minga Payam, while an earlier attack in Lozoh Payam last Friday left three men dead and others injured, with cattle stolen. The attackers also targeted civilians as they fled with the looted animals, he added.
Hundreds of residents have fled their homes, with some sheltering in schools and other safer areas. At least 150 people are sheltering in Lui and Gori Primary School, about 500 in Jambo, and more than 350 in Minga Muaga Payam, according to the source.
“The situation is tense. People lack food, shelter and basic services. Many are staying in schools, which is affecting learning,” he said, calling for urgent humanitarian and education support.
David Bisi, the payam administrator of Witto, said more than 1,000 people had fled to Witto from Minga, Lozoh and surrounding areas.
He said displaced families were facing acute shortages of food, shelter and other essentials, worsened by ongoing rains.
“We urge the governments of Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria states to intervene and stop the killings. Our people are suffering and lack basic needs,” he said.
Samson Sunday Thomas, a Relief and Rehabilitation Commission representative in Witto Payam, said more than 1,375 displaced people had been registered in the area.
“Our people have nothing—no food, no bedding and no support. The situation is very difficult,” he said, appealing for urgent humanitarian assistance.
Joseph Ngeṛe Päciko, a lawmaker in Juba and secretary-general of the Greater Mundri Community Organization, said Minga, Witto and Lozoh payams of Mundri East County, as well as Bangolo Payam in Mundri West County, were reeling from looting, killings and rampaging by what he described as an uncontrollable armed group of Mundari cattle herders.
“Since March 9, 2026, 22 innocent civilians have lost their lives, while tens and hundreds of cattle and goats have been looted. An unspecified number of properties have been destroyed,” Ngeṛe said.
He said about 3,400 people had been displaced, including 150 in Lui town of Lui Payam, 500 in Jambo of Witto Payam, 450 in Muaga Nusu of Minga Payam, 2,000 in Doro and Buagyi of Lozoh Payam, and 300 in Kedi’ba town of Mundri Payam.
The displaced people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, he said, adding that the organization was engaging authorities and community leaders from Terekeka to contain the situation and find a lasting solution.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Mundri East County Commissioner Charles Koro described the situation as beyond the county’s capacity and called for urgent intervention from both state governments.
“Cross-border attacks are continuing. People are being killed and cattle stolen. We need immediate action to restore calm,” he said.
Western Equatoria State Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa condemned the attacks and said he would engage with his counterpart in Central Equatoria to address the situation. He also pledged to visit Mundri East County.
Leaders from the Mundari community could not immediately be reached for comment.