By Alan Clement
An attack that left several civilians dead and property destroyed in a cattle camp in Pakoon, Yirol East County, is threatening to inflame inter-state tensions between Lakes State and Unity State.
The Government of Lakes State is blaming armed groups allegedly originating from Panyijiar County in Unity State and is demanding swift accountability from its northern counterpart.
While violent cattle raids are not new to South Sudan’s borderlands, officials in Lakes State are warning that continued cross-border aggression risks unravelling hard-won local peace efforts.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, William Koji, who is acting as the Minister of Information confirmed that the raids in Pakoon county resulted in 5 casualties and 5 injuries while another similar attack in Amongping resulted in 4 deaths and many injuries including to security forces that had intervened.
The exact number of injuries on both the youths and the security forces is yet to be ascertained but Minister William Koji confirmed that over 300 cattle were raided in what he called criminal acts.
“This people are criminals. They organize themselves for these raids at night and attack cattle camps in Lakes State when people are sleeping”, the Minister said.
“This was not just a random act of violence, it was a clear violation of the security and dignity of our people,” said Lakes State Minister of Information, Paul Cabiet Ayang, in a statement. “We demanding a responsible response from Unity State authorities. This cannot be ignored.”
This sentiment was echoed by Minister William Koji who urged the Unity State government to act immediately. “The government of Unity must act decisively and swiftly because these youth are becoming a problem”. Even when we arrest these raiders, others will always come and raid,” he added.
Minister Cabiet described the attack as “heinous and barbaric,” criticizing what he called a growing trend of external actors exploiting the peace efforts initiated under Governor Rin Tueny Mabor’s administration.
The statement condemned any attempts by “goons and criminals” to destabilize Lakes State and force residents from their ancestral land.
Observers note that the incident may test the fragile cooperation between states as South Sudan continues to grapple with post-conflict recovery.
Inter-communal violence, often linked to cattle raiding and historical rivalries, remains a major source of insecurity despite national peace agreements.
“We must not allow localized peace to be threatened by lawlessness from neighboring regions,” Cabiet added. “Unity State must act decisively to contain and disarm such elements before more lives are lost.”
In response, Lakes State has deployed additional security forces to the affected area and initiated investigations.
Local elders and peace committees have also stepped in to de-escalate potential retaliation and encourage calm.
As families mourn the loss of loved ones, officials say the focus must now shift toward accountability, justice, and stronger cross-border cooperation.
Civil society leaders are urging both state governments and the national leadership to intensify peacebuilding mechanisms and prevent further destabilization.
“This incident is a stark reminder that peace in one region is not sustainable unless it is matched by responsibility and commitment from neighboring areas,” said a Yirol-based peace advocate, who asked for anonymity due to the sensitivee nature of the matter.
With tensions running high, many are watching closely to see whether Unity State will respond and how both states navigate the aftermath of yet another deadly confrontation in South Sudan’s volatile cattle corridor.