Juba, South Sudan, 22 May 2021 – At least five people have been killed as a result of cattle raid-related attacks carried out in Tonyajior cattle camp and Aluak Luak of Yirol West County in Lakes State by youths who were under the influence of alcohol.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, the perpetrators were armed youths believed to be from Panyinjiar County in Unity state.
“They raided cattle, three of them were killed on the spot, and other three sustained severe injuries”, eyewitnesses said.
The incident in Aluak-Luak reportedly occurred between youth groups from the same area who were intoxicated and acted under the high influence of alcohol.
“In Aluak-Luak, two people were trekking to a cattle camp. Unfortunately, they met with other youths coming from a cattle camp and they clashed. All of them were drunk. Two people died in the clashes,” Capt. Elijah Mabor, Lakes State police mouthpiece confirmed to the media.
The victims of the Tonyajior incident who died of wounds complication were identified as Jam Morwel, Adut Goyoi Agok, and Duor Bol Akutu Bior.
The victims of the Aluak-Luak incident were confirmed as Mr. Matong Malaak and Mr. Machok Makoi.
However, another cattle-related attack was reported in Rumbek East County on Thursday night but no consequences were reported.
Lakes State has been undergoing numerous communal violence, mainly incited by retaliatory attacks, cattle raiding, and banditry.
Although several disarmament practices were conducted in the state, armed youths from the neighboring states and within Lakes still possess guns.
Cattle raid accounts for one of the major causes of instability in the country as the practice amounts to intern-ethnic conflict, which eventually cascades beyond the region that instigated it.
The same incident has left Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area in shambles. Armed youths from both regions have raided cattle and launched revenge attacks against one another, forcing many to flee their homes.
