Two killed in Jonglei cattle raid attack

April 6, 2013 (BOR) – At least two people have been killed in a new attack on Jonglei state’s Panwel village, in which 16 head of cattle were seized on Friday afternoon.

According to officials at Pariak village, the administrative headquarters of Panwel, the two concurrent attacks were carried out by groups of suspected Murle criminals. One man was killed while herding his cattle and another was killed after he went to the forest to cut trees.

One official outlined the events surrounding the attack to Sudan Tribune on the phone from Pariak on Friday.

“A group of criminals or members of [the rebel group led by David] Yau Yau, we are not sure, came and killed one man who was herding cattle, [and stole his] 50 heads of cattle. The army of Commando platoon, went after them, but returned after exchanging gunfire with the criminals. They ran [away] and the army brought one gun that was thrown away by one of the criminals”, he explained.

He added that, another group of criminals had killed another man while he was cutting trees before seizing 16 head of cattle from two young men, who were on their way to the Jonglei-Central Equartoria state border, where they were planning to transport their cattle by car to Juba, which since last year has been considered a safer place for Dinka Bor pastoralists.

Since March there have been relatively few violent incidents, as dry conditions have made it increasingly difficult for criminals to survive as in the bush.

Last week, the South Sudanese army (SPLA) announced it had almost completed its offensive against rebel forces operating in the area, saying Jonglei would be a peaceful state within a few weeks.

However, local residents have questioned the effectiveness of the army operation, saying raiders and other criminals continued to remain a threat. There are also fears that the upcoming rainy season will boost insecurity in the region.

(ST)