South Sudan apologizes to Kenya over cattle attacks
September 9, 2008 (NAIROBI) — The semi-autonomous government of southern Sudan has apologized to Kenya for the recent attacks in Lorau and Turkana locations in northern Kenya by armed raiders from southern Sudan.
Last week, Kenya had formally protested to southern Sudan government over these attacks , killings and abduction of the Kenyan youth and requested to ensure safe return of the abducted person-Kakeru Amon, arrest and charge the killers of the 2 boys and return the 1000 stolen cattle.
Southern Sudan government minister for regional cooperation, Barnabas Benjamin Marial, expressed his government regrets for the attacks. He also indicated that GOSS had mobilized troops to search for the suspected Toposa raiders.
Marial was received by the Kenyan Interior Minister, George Saitoti, received Marial in his office Monday.
The southern Sudanese government is committed to do everything possible to recover the stolen animals and the abducted boy, Marial pledged.
From his part, Saitoti said the two governments would discuss how to end cross border cattle rustling once and for all.
However, the Sudanese minister explained that poor infrastructure and lack of functioning government authorities had slowed the search for a Kenyan abducted last month by cattle rustlers from Sudan.
He further said the process might also be very slow as his government is forced to engage traditional leaders in identifying and locating the victim.
The Sudanese bandits stole 130 head of cattle and killed 3 Turkanas on the night of August 24/25, 2008 at Lorau Location, 85 kilometres North East of Lokichoggio Police Station.
In a second assault on August 29, 2008, Topossa bandits attacked Mogila Location which is 65 kilometres East of Lokichoggio in Turkana North District. They killed two boys and abducted one, Kakeru Amon, aged 18 years. The raiders stole an estimated one thousand (1,000) cattle.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan apologizes to Kenya over cattle attacks
Yes Goss you can apology to Kenya or Uganda but how about the recent attack of our people in Eastern Equatoria, where two armed men were killed and another one injured on Sunday while attempting to abduct a group of children in Lokupok County in Eastern Equatoria,even Four guns were recovered from the kidnappers. This policy of turning blind eyes on your own people seems to be a hot issue that will never be settled. Be serious in this topic otherwise the ones we have lost will never be forgotten. Apology and ensure that any of Ugandan or Kenyan will not attempt to enter this territory of Eastern Equatoria in aim of killing people or riding cattle. NB that there is a lot on the bottom of this nation which need to be looked after properly and carefully,otherwise if you keep leaving those Ugandan or Kenyan to keep loitering in this land just because of us being left behind seem to be another case that,”we will face on our self determination beside those internal creatures who are still roaming here abusing us”.Take it serious and bring an end to this frequency attack.
Grader
South Sudan apologizes to Kenya over cattle attacks
The apology is unfortunate in my opinion. Why should a government apologises for something its not directly responsible for? Suppose the Kenyan government asks GoSS for compensation of the lost lives and stolen cattle. Is the minister (Marial) gona be in position to pay anything or play lip service?
Shame on you blokes for being too soft, i thought amongst your countless advisers you have legal experts to advice you on such circumstances for legal implications of “an apology”
Good luck!!!
Henry Makuei
South Sudan apologizes to Kenya over cattle attacks
Thank you hon. Marial. since Kenya is our second home, we need such moves in order to maintain a healthy relationship. I believe it is our second home because we have been in for refuge and we stay peacefully untill we got our right from the Sudan government and still we are in now for another better future. I therefore still encourage our government to discourage Toposa from such behaviours.