South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Thursday declared a state of emergency in areas hit by deadly inter-communal clashes over cattle raids that have killed hundreds of people in recent months, state TV said.
Cattle raids and clashes over scarce water and grazing land are common in the impoverished east African nation, often exacerbated by extreme weather such as droughts and floods.
This decision comes after the appointment of a new governor of Warrap State, "tasked with restoring order and combating rising lawlessness, largely driven by ongoing communal clashes and cattle theft", the state broadcaster's statement added.
The UN said on Tuesday that violence between herders in Tonj County, Warrap State, has become frequent, with cattle raids and revenge attacks killing hundreds since December -- including over 200 in March and about 80 in recent days.
Guang Cong, the deputy special representative of the UN mission in South Sudan, said urgent intervention from the national government is needed to prevent the conflict from reaching "catastrophic levels".
In February, a local official condemned a "massacre" in Eastern Equatoria State, where 41 members of a pastoralist community, including women and children, were killed.
The clashes come on top of politically and ethnically driven violence that continues to destabilise the world's youngest nation, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
Several embassies in early May warned of a deterioration in South Sudan's security following months of fighting between forces loyal to President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
In early May, several embassies warned of a "clear deterioration" in South Sudan's security.
Machar's arrest in March has reignited fears of a return to civil war, nearly seven years after a brutal conflict between the two camps killed an estimated 400,000 people from 2013 to 2018.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan’s peace deal at risk of collapse without stronger regional action, warns UN Commission - 13/06/2025 16:40
- The UN has warned of a looming famine in South Sudan's Upper Nile region - 13/06/2025 16:29
- From Gaza to South Sudan, private firms deliver aid and face questions - 13/06/2025 16:26
- RSF seizes Libya-Sudan border zone - 13/06/2025 16:20
- Cholera outbreak in Sudan extends to six states - 13/06/2025 16:14
Older news items
- South Sudan Wins Appeal To Reduce Penalty On Vivacell Dispute - 06/06/2025 12:23
- Dozens of Civilians Killed in Clashes Between Militias and South Sudan’s Army - 06/06/2025 12:21
- From prison cells to the pulpit: Bishop Alexander shares moving testimony of resilience and gospel's transformative power in South Sudan - 06/06/2025 12:17
- Escalating conflict in South Sudan forces many thousands to flee just as aid dwindles - 06/06/2025 12:10
- Rising tide of microfinance helps lift South Sudanese boatmaker - 06/06/2025 11:53
Latest news items (all categories):
- Canada helping to fund South Sudan vote despite growing repression - 05/10/2026 15:10
- UNMISS patrol reaches remote Ibba communities amidst heavy rains, insecurity, and growing health threats - 05/10/2026 15:07
- WFP Strongly Condemns Attack on Trucks in South Kordofan, Killing One Driver - 05/10/2026 15:03
- Advancing Women’s Land Rights through building capacity of customary institutions in Magwi County, South Sudan - 02/10/2026 13:18
- AU calls for release of political detainees ahead of South Sudan elections - 02/10/2026 13:15
See also (all categories):
Random articles (all categories):
- 'Arms embargo creates further insecurity in South Sudan' - 18/06/2020 01:48
- The DRC had the world's biggest military spend increase last year – and South Sudan was second - 27/04/2024 16:29
- South Sudan rebels claim responsibility for deadly convoy attack - 09/06/2017 03:13
- Cracks in North-South Peace Deal - 25/06/2008 18:17
- South Sudan: Kiir Says Era of Impunity On Corruption Crimes Is Over - 10/07/2013 03:15
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 150528 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28179 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25293 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24521 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22479 times
