Jonglei’s Greater Pibor officials to probe cattle raid

October 28, 2014 (BOR) – Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) of South Sudan’s Jonglei state have vowed to investigate an alleged cattle raid that occurred last week.

According Bor county commissioner Agot Alier Leek, the GPAA leader, David Yau Yau, promised to probe the incident in order to promote peaceful co-existence with neighbouring areas.

“I communicated to him [Yau Yau) about the cattle that disappeared here around Bor [and] he promised me actually that he is working hard to prove the truth of the issue,” Leek told Sudan Tribune.

“So I think he is highly committed and we are very appreciative about that,” he added.

Last week, unknown people raided four cattle kraals in a village only six kilometres from the state capital, Bor. Footmarks traced later showed that the animals headed east of the country’s largest state.

The exact numbers of animals stolen remain unknown, according to officials.

Pibor was elevated to a special administrative status in July this year following a peace agreement signed between the former rebel leader Yau Yau and the government of South Sudan in May.

Yau Yau was appointed by president Salva Kiir to head the GPPA, which was expanded to seven counties from two. The accord also ended cattle raids often blamed on armed men from both counties.

“There has been no recorded incident since March until today – except this one [last week cattle raid] which we are now investigating jointly with them (GPAA),” said the commissioner.

“But I am sure David Yau Yau is highly committed to peace and co-existence between these communities,” he added.

(ST)