By Mamer Abraham
At least three people have been killed and four wounded in an attack in Baidit Payam of Bor County, Jonglei State of South Sudan.
Jonglei State police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta said the Friday attack was orchestrated by suspects from Pibor.
He added that perpetrators raided herds of cattle but were pursued and the cattle recovered.
“Unknown criminals came and attacked a cattle camp and raided herds of cattle. The youth mobilized to follow and managed to recover the cattle,” he said.
Kosta said the governments of Jonglei State and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) were already discussing prospects for security between the two areas.
“During the recovery, three people died and the other four were wounded. Jonglei State and greater Pibor are now discussing the issue of security.”
Jonglei State had been encountering a number of cattle raids and inter-communal violence that led to the loss of lives and property, as well as the abduction of women and children.
In September, two women who were abducted escaped from the hands of criminals and returned to Jonglei State.
Elizabeth Nyadak John, the state minister for information and communication, identified the women as Nyareat Buom Tuong and Nyakueka Rial, saying they had reached Pajut town in Duk County and would soon reunite with their families.
“In another fortunate incident, two female abductees who were abducted from Thakroal in Thol Payam of Nyirol County on 9th/8/2023 by Murle criminals managed to escape from their abductors and successfully reached Pajut Town of Duk County yesterday, 18th/9/2023. The authorities are working for them to be soon reunited with their families,” she explained in a statement.
In response to these allegations, the spokesperson of the government of GPAA, Abraham Kelang, said the GPAA government was committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sisterly areas.
“As the government of GPAA, we are always in peace resolution in our search; if we get that the information is true and we find the abducted kids, I will communicate,” he said.
Kelang urged citizens and the government of Jonglei State to report an abduction or cattle raid so that the criminals could be traced and apprehended.