Over 7,000 cattle looted from Jonglei’s Akobo, Nyirol counties

November 11, 2013 (BOR) – A recent attack in Akobo and Nyirol counties has resulted in the loss of over 7,000 heads of cattle, the commissioner of Akobo County told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

Speaking on phone from his base in Akobo, the commissioner, Koang Rambang, said the attack in the neighboring county of Nyirol and his county Akobo begun on Tuesday and lasted until Monday of this week.

The began on Tuesday 5 November and continued until Monday 11 November, according to the commissioner. “Weiwel (in Walgak), Riem, Lony were attacked last week and Dirol was attacked today”, he said.

According to Rambang, over 7,000 heads of cattle were looted in Dirol on Monday morning by armed men from the Murle tribe from Pibor county. The commissioner was not optimistic that the police who were pursuing the cattle raiders would be able to rescue the cattle.

“I don’t suspect but I know that they are Murle, nobody came and raid us here, only Murle because Dinka cannot come, we cannot raid ourselves in Lou Nuer and even Anuak cannot raid cattle, only Murle”, he explained.

Rambang said his county and other Lou Nuer areas of Jonglei are under threat of attacks. He asked elders from the neighbouring Murle community to persuade their youth from such attacks, warning that there may be retaliation if the Lou Nuer youth who have lost cattle loss their patience.

“Yes, we will try to convince our youth not to retaliate. Let Murle elders talk to their youth to stop raiding if they really need peace. Otherwise if the same attack happens any where in Lou Nuer, the youth of Lou Nuer may not listen to our advice and the same retaliation may take place again”, he explained over the phone.

The commissioner was unable to confirm reports that three Murle raiders and two Luo Nuer youth were killed in the attacks.

(ST)