Ringleader of cattle rustlers in Mayom killed in battle with Unity state police
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
March 24, 2013 (JUBA) – Authorities from Unity state’s Mayom county in South Sudan said Sunday that police have killed the suspected ringleader of cattle raiders in a gun battle on 18 March.
The government hopes that that his death will lead to an improvement in the security of the area and stop the long-running practice of cattle raiding between Mayom county and Tong North in neighbouring Warrap state.
Mayom county commissioner Bol Mayak said he is coordinating with Warrap state authorities to discourage cattle rustling by enforcing the law and deploying police officers along the state border.
Deadly cattle raids and counter raids have blighted many parts of South Sudan since a 2005 peace deal brought the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) into government, paving the way for the country’s independence in 2011.
Authorities from both Warrap and Unity states say they are increasing their efforts to enforce law and order and campaign for an end to the practice.
Some stolen cows were recently returned to their owners in Warrap state. However, another group of cattle herders attacked Mayom county and took a nearly dozen head of cattle, according to Unity state’s deputy governor Michael Chiengjiek Geay.
Geay said he has already contacted his counterpart in Warrap so that the stolen cattle can be located and returned.
“The killing of the cattle raider’s leader will improve on the [number of] future attacks along bordering states that paralysed the organisation of criminals, and I’m hoping that peace and stability will now return back to those counties that face severe attacks at the borders”, said Geay.
According to Geay, Warrap state authorities have assured him they will work to help eradicate cattle raiding in the new nation, adding that the government’s role is to protect citizens and their properties from the activities of criminals.
Last month, the US ambassador to South Sudan, Susan Page, said her government will work together with the South Sudanese government and others to eradicate cattle raiding.
(ST)