8 killed in revenge-related attacks in South Sudan

8 people shot dead in South Sudan

At least eight people have reportedly been killed in revenge-related clashes between communities of Eastern Equatoria State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

The fighting is said to have ensued when some South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers set up an illegal checkpoint in Kapoeta East County's Kasengor Payam and shot at a passenger vehicle killing at least two people last Friday.

As a result, armed youth from Pibor attacked villages in Kuron Peace Village which led to the death of six more people on Tuesday.

Three young girls were also reportedly abducted during the revenge raid.

The Commissioner of Jebel Boma County in Greater Pibor confirmed the incident to Radio Tamazuj.

Longony Alson Luagin claimed the incident was perpetrated by a group of soldiers who had deserted their camp in the area. He said the suspects have been apprehended and are now in police custody.

"The people who caused this incident are four, two of them don’t have guns and two are armed. One of them escaped and three were arrested," Alson said. "They were ordered by one 1st Lt identified by name John, and 2nd Lt Lokutur. So these two were the ones who gave orders to these soldiers, they are five now in custody and all are soldiers from SSPDF."

Mr. Alson assured that the two neighboring governments are working to restore calm in the area.

For his part, Kapoeta East County Commissioner Abdalla Lokeno fears that the continuous attacks will hamper the relationship between the two neighboring communities.

"They took three Toposa girls from Kuron yet they had been staying in peace without division. These incidences of crimes have been repeatedly done by Murle but the first was a mistake from Toposa they went and stole cattle from Murle and the Murles also retaliated that is why confusion continues up to now," he said.

In February this year, the governors of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Lokoli Amee, embarked on a new peace mission between the two areas.

The move aimed at lobbying for a renewed relationship between the Toposa and the Murle that had been feuding over cattle raids less than two months ago is yet to yield fruits.

In September 2021, the leaders of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area held a three-day retreat to address issues of political differences and how to counter cattle raids, age-set youth violence, and child abduction.

But till today, repeated attacks, cattle raiding and child abduction continue being reported in the areas.