By Manas James Okony/ Peter Kuol Kuch
At least eight people were killed and several others injured in alleged cattle raid in Mogiri village of Mangala Payam, Central Equatoria State.
Mogiri Village host cattle trading center that bring youth from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), Jonglei state, as well as other states together.
Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, the spokesperson for the South Sudan National Police Service confirmed the incident citing that situation the government hand intervened.
He expressed that, armed assailants attacked a cattle trading center in Mogiri of Magala payam of Central Equatoria on Monday.
The police spokesperson revealed than more than eight people were killed in the clashes including security personally with several injured.
He added the clashes were between the cattle traders and armed youth citing that the Forces went to the ground to get the detailed information.
Speaking to this outlet, Jacob Werchum Juok, the information minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), said that among those killed are traders from GPAA.
“On Tuesday at 7 pm, our cattle traders were attacked in Mogiri. The attackers managed to overpower our youth, killing eight and injuring eight others. They also went away with 3,035 head of cattle.” Werchum claimed.
The Minister however said that the attackers are not yet identified
“The identity of the attackers was unknown,” he said.
On his part Jacob Aligo Lo Ladu Central Equatoria Minister of Peace Building and Acting Minister of Information and Communication confirmed the incident citing that officials were already on ground to investigate.
He said that the incident occurred in cattle market in Mogiri of Central Equatoria State.
The Minister however did not confirm the people and who what was the cause adding that the team has gone on ground to establish the facts.
“Up to now, the team that went to the field has not yet come back. we are still waiting, i will update you tomorrow morning please” he said.
He revealed that the cattle clashes occurred in a local market that became famous due to it location.
“This market was never formally established. It just developed as people started trading there” he said.
On his part the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) Chief Administrator, Gola Boyoi Gola condemned the attack stating that it complicates the peace among communities.
“On behalf of the government and the people of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, I strongly condemn this attack and the ongoing criminal activities that always occur in Mogiri that endanger the lives of the traders and civilians residing in the area” Gola said in a statement.
He stated the leadership of the two areas were encouraging the youth to engage in trading activities instead of cattle raiding.
“We must work collaboratively against these criminal acts and ensure the safety and security of all cattle traders and civilians” He stated.
In his part, Bol Deng Bol, who is a civil society activist with INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), expressed deep concern over the violence describing it a disturbing report of a mass cattle raid.
“We understand that the cattle traders of Greater Pibor Administrative Area had recently taken hundreds of heads of cattle for auctioning at Mogiri cattle market, a location specifically designated for this purpose. However, we received disturbing reports of a mass cattle raid in the same area, resulting in loss of lives and the theft of an unspecified number of cattle, perpetrated by unidentified armed groups” he emphasized.
He further emphasized the community’s condemnation of this violent act, stating, “We strongly condemn this act of violence against traders simply conducting their routine business and convey our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected.” He underlined
“We strongly condemn this act of violence against Murle traders who were going about the routine business. However, we convey our condolences to those affected by the recent clashes” He stated.
The laws of South Sudan place a prime responsibility on the government, particularly the police and law enforcement agencies, to protect the lives and property of its citizens and ensure their livelihoods.
However, the civil society activist called for “The immediate deployment of security forces to the Mogiri area and the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Activist Deng also called for enhancement of security escorts for commercial and passenger vehicles along the Juba-Bor Road to guarantee the safety of travelers.
On November 2024, at least nine cattle traders were killed, 14 others injured and about 600 head of cattle raided in an attack by armed assailants on a cattle camp in Mogiri Town along the Juba-Bor Highway.