Warrap accuses Unity of killing 33 people in cattle raids
May 31, 2013 (JUBA) – At least 33 people, mainly children and the elderly, have so far died in various cattle raids within South Sudan’s Warrap state, with officials pointing fingers at groups from neighbouring Unity state.
The region, the Gogrial East County Commissioner told Sudan Tribune, has also lost several herds of cattle, witnessed injuries inflicted many of its people, while thousands have been forced to flee their homes.
However, although Commissioner Akot Lual Akot says only 33 people have so far died in these attacks since January, South Sudan Red Cross officials in the area claim the figure is close to 60.
“This is now the 7th attack on the area by the group who comes from Mayom County. They killed 32 people in these attacks and wounded 27 others,” said Akot.
Most of the dead were women and children, many of whom were killed while sleeping, he added.
He described the incident as the worst single incident in the region since the start of the year.
The long-standing enmity between the communities, local residents say, have seen them caught in a cycle of violence and revenge killings over cattle theft, struggle for grazing land and water rights.
Commissioner Akot accused his Mayom county counterpart of masterminding the attack after he allegedly failed to control his area youth contrary to what the two leaders agreed upon in the previous meeting.
“I am accusing the new Mayom county commissioner Bol Maya of involvement because I called him repeatedly today, but he did not pick my calls. He did not return the calls and switched off when I tried now,” the Gogrial East commissioner said.
Sudan Tribune was unable to reach the Mayom county commissioner over the incident.
(ST)