JUBA, South Sudan — At least 72 people have been killed in cattle raids in South Sudan’s Warrap state, officials said, in a “co-ordinated attack” on Monday in Akop Payam, Tonj North county, near the border with Unity state.
Members of the Lou Ariik community are said to have attacked the Apuk Padoch community, BBC News reported. The raid followed violence on Friday that killed eight people, according to state information minister William Wol Mayom Bol.
Governor Angelo Ngot Mayar sent condolences to the victims’ families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded and recover the stolen cattle.
Cattle raids have repeatedly turned deadly in the area. According to the conflict monitor Acled, 60 people were killed in an attack in August and 58 in March.
The violence comes ahead of presidential elections due in December. Riek Machar was sacked as vice-president and arrested last year and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies.
Sources: BBC News
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