Cattle raiding in South Sudan seems to have become a normal practice. The government will only show seriousness when there are alarms from both within and outside the country. These alarms are usually raised by the international organizations operating in the country, or the media; in most cases the international media.
What is becoming disturbing about the cattle raiding practices in the country is that the practice is being carried across the borders! The report by VOA about armed men from South Sudan crossing into Uganda and raided cattle, robbed money and other properties from Ugandan citizens is unacceptable!
This is yet another image tarnishing incident that requires the South Sudanese authorities to investigate and bring the culprits to book. It is not wise for us to let our state of lawlessness spill over the boundaries.
It is true that there are a number of armed groups along the borders; SSPDF, SPLA-IO, NAS, armed civilian pastoralists. It too obvious that the perpetrators are from one or the other of these groups. Any serious government cannot fail to locate the culprits.
If is not enough to return the stolen property. The criminals should be punished for their behavior. As the country endeavors to resolve a myriad of problems affecting the country, the South Sudanese concerned authorities should not sit back and watch some individuals plan evil against fellow country people and neighbors.
While the regular forces, if found to indulging in such practices should be disciplined, the civilians should be disarmed, if peace is to be realized at the borders.