By: Jackson Gaaniko
Community leaders from the Minga Community Association (MCA), led by Chairperson Bilal Mundara Fadoul, departed Juba on Saturday for Minga Payam in Mundri East County, Western
Equatoria State.
The Journey is meant to show solidarity with internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by recent violence.
The delegation is expected to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and deliver food and non-food relief items to support families displaced by the attacks.
It will also explore possible ways to facilitate the safe return of affected residents to their homes as the rainy season begins.
Speaking prior to departure, Fadoul said the visit aims to better understand urgent needs and support recovery efforts.
“We want to see how best we can help our people return home and resume their farming activities,” he said.
The visit comes in the wake of reported attacks attributed to armed Mundari cattle herders from Terekeka County in Central Equatoria State, who allegedly targeted communities in Minga, Lozoh, and Kediba areas of Mundri East County.
During the attacks, livestock including cattle and goats were reportedly looted, homes were destroyed, and civilians were killed or forced to flee, leaving many families without shelter, food,or basic services.
Local authorities and residents report that at least 22 people have been killed and three others injured since March 9, 2026, while thousands have been displaced across the affected areas.
In Minga Payam alone, 17 people were reportedly killed, while earlier violence in Lozoh Payam left three others dead and several injured.
Hundreds of residents have sought refuge in schools and other public facilities. Reports indicate that about 150 displaced persons are sheltering in Lui Primary School, around 500 in Jambo, and more than 350 in Minga Muaga Payam.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the humanitarian situation as dire.
“The situation is tense. People lack food, shelter, and basic services. Many
are staying in schools, which is affecting learning,” the source said.
Local officials say displacement continues to increase. The Payam Administrator of Witto, David Bisi, confirmed that more than 1,000 people have fled into Witto from surrounding areas.
Samson Sunday Thomas, a representative of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Witto Payam, said at least 1,375 displaced people have been registered.
“Our people have nothing—no food, no bedding, and no support. The situation is very difficult,” he said.
Overall estimates suggest that about 3,400 people have been displaced across Mundri East County, including communities in Minga, Lozoh, Kediba, and surrounding areas.
Mundri East County Commissioner Charles Koro described the situation as beyond local capacity and called for urgent intervention from both Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria state authorities.
“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 has condemned the violence and pledged to engage his counterpart in Central Equatoria State to address the crisis. He also indicated plans to visit the affected areas.
Efforts to obtain comment from representatives of the Mundari community were unsuccessful by the time of publication.