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South Sudan cattle raid kills 49, wounds 33

Created at 28 Aug · 10:11 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded in South Sudan when armed cattle raiders from Unity State attacked herders in Warrap State. Inter-tribal violence over scarce resources, exacerbated by the abundance of guns, is common in the country.

Key Numbers

49people killed in cattle raid
33people wounded in cattle raid

Who's Involved

William Wol Mayom Bol
Warrap State's information minister
Nyakenya Johannes
Unity State's information minister

↳ Why This Matters

The incident highlights the persistent inter-communal violence in South Sudan, driven by competition for resources and the proliferation of firearms, which poses a significant challenge to the country's stability as it approaches its first presidential election since independence.

Key facts

  • At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded in a cattle raid in South Sudan.
  • The attack was carried out by armed cattle raiders from Unity State on herders in Warrap State.
  • The raid occurred at dawn on Thursday in Tonj North county.
  • Inter-tribal violence over scarce resources and guns is common in South Sudan.

At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded in South Sudan after armed cattle raiders from Unity State attacked a community of herders in neighbouring Warrap State at dawn on Thursday, officials said.

Inter-tribal and inter-communal violence is common in South Sudan, where herders compete for scarce grazing lands and water for their cattle. An abundance of guns in civilian hands exacerbates the violence.

The deadly raid in Warrap State started at about 5 a.m. local time on Thursday when assailants from Unity State and others carried out a brutal attack on a camp of cattle herders in Tonj North county, the state's information minister, William Wol Mayom Bol, said in a statement.

He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and appealed for restraint as the two state governments establish cooperation to bring culprits to book.

Unity State's information minister, Nyakenya Johannes, told Reuters the attackers were not all from Unity, but added that state officials were working hard to ensure peaceful co-existence between communities in both regions.

South Sudan expects to hold a presidential election in December, its first since the country gained independence from its northern neighbour Sudan in 2011.

Frequently asked questions

The violence is attributed to inter-tribal competition for scarce grazing lands and water for cattle, exacerbated by the widespread availability of guns.

The attack occurred in Tonj North county, Warrap State, targeting a camp of cattle herders.

South Sudan is preparing for its first presidential election since gaining independence in 2011, scheduled for December.

What Happens Next

01State governments will cooperate to bring culprits to book.
02Officials will work to ensure peaceful co-existence between communities in Unity and Warrap states.

How It Developed

Armed cattle raiders from Unity State attacked herders in Warrap State, South Sudan.
The raid occurred at dawn on Thursday in Tonj North county.
At least 49 people were killed and 33 wounded in the attack.
State officials are cooperating to bring the culprits to justice.
Officials stated that not all attackers were from Unity State.

Sources

T1
At least 49 people killed in armed cattle raid in South SudanReuters

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