Authorities raise alarm after ten people die, 13 wounded in Cueibet cattle raid

By Makur Adut

Authorities in Lakes State’s Cueibet County have raised concerns following an intercommunal attack that left ten dead and thirteen others wounded.

Armed youth believed  to be from Rumbek North County and Duony Payam of Cueibet clashed at the Mabor cattle, which left a trail of casualties and injuries from both sides. The attackers left with 33 livestock from Cueibet.

Michael Marik Alic, the Administrator of Duony Payam in Cueibet County confirmed the incident, saying fighting broke out between the Gok and Pakam in Mabor cattle camp on Tuesday. Youth from Pakam community of Rumbek North County, he said, attacked Gok, Mabor and Got-nyany cattle camps.

“The cattle owners tried fought back to secure their livestock but the clash intensified between the communities, leading to the deaths,” he said, revealing that six people among the Gok side died while eight were wounded. 

Meanwhile, 33 herds of cattle were raided. The fighting forced some locals to flee to Aluel with their livestock.

“As the Payam administrator in Duony Payam, I rushed to Aluel cattle camp yesterday to witness the scale of destruction and to intervene. However, I was unable to reach the scene due to the far distance,” he said, and urged locals to embrace peace and unity.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Rumbek North County in Lakes State, Moulana Moses Maker Magok said his County lost four youths in the attack. He also called for peaceful coexistence among the locals.

Condemning the incident, CEPO Coordinator in Lakes State Daniel Laat Kon Ater, said the tragic attacks are an indicator that some people are trying to sabotage the peace tour of the newly appointed governor, and the steps made to reclaim peace in the region.

“We regret the lives lost and express the greatest sympathy. We stand in solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones and call for accountability. It is only accountability that deter people from conducting revenge either through cattle raids or revenge from the people they have lost. We also call for peaceful resolutions to conflict in Lakes State and neighboring communities,” Laat said.