Cattle raiders kill 54 in Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria

By Ohiyok D. Oduho

May 12, 2007 (JUBA) — At least 54 people were killed recently in Eastern Equatoria after unexpected attack by Toposa cattle raiders from Southern Sudan on Lauro Payam village, Baudi county.

The Commissioner of Budi County, Oreste Lopara, said in a press statement that a group of the heavy armed Toposa tribesmen, estimated at one battalion in a military formation, attacked Lauro Payam (24 miles South of Kapoeta) on May 4, and killed 54 people, five men and 49 women and children, wounding 11: three babies, four women and four men and abducted one infant.

Many women, children and the elderly are said to have scattered all over the bushes of Lauro to escape the onslaught, which is reported to have ensued for three days.

Commissioner Lopara said he informed the EES authorities in Torit about the incident. He said the EES Governor, Aloysius Emor Ojetuk, ordered him to move to Kapoeta from where he was given two Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Companies to accompany him in order to assess the damages caused by the attackers and help restore calm to Lauro.
Commissioner Lopara said two kraals with over 400 heads of cattle and over 400 goats were emptied by the attacking Toposa tribesmen.

The Toposa tribesmen are known for their cattle rustling operations, which they normally carry out against the Otuho, Didinga and Boya tribes in EES.

Commissioner Opara said the situation is calm and under the control of the authorities, whom, he said, moved in to stop the escalation of what seemed to be leading to a major showdown between the Toposa and the Didinga tribe in EES.

The Toposa cattle raiders who are based near Sudan Kenya border, are known for their raids in Southern Sudan and Kenya. The Toposa were considered as local allies by the Sudanese army before the end of the war. They helped in the fight against the former rebel SPLA forces in the region.

(ST)