Nairobi – The escalating violence in South Sudan reached a tragic peak this week as unidentified attackers raided cattle camps in the southeastern region, resulting in the deaths of at least 35 people and injuring 46 others. The attack, which occurred on January 31, targeted four Dinka Bor cattle camps in Magwi county, an area already fraught with tensions between ethnic groups vying for control over resources. This deadly raid not only claims lives but underscores the deep-rooted conflict over cattle—an essential symbol of wealth, status, and cultural identity in the country.
Community leader Mayom Ateny provided the details of the raid, revealing that the attackers not only killed and wounded dozens of people but also made off with 11,000 head of cattle. These animals are far more than just livestock in South Sudan—they are integral to the social fabric, economy, and traditions of the people. Cattle are exchanged as bride prices in weddings and serve as a store of wealth, making them a highly sought-after commodity. As a result, the theft of such a large number of cattle is not only an economic blow to the community but also an attack on its very cultural and social identity.
The raid is symptomatic of a larger, more persistent issue in South Sudan: the fierce competition for scarce resources, particularly cattle and land, which has been a primary driver of conflict between ethnic groups. South Sudan’s history of internal strife, exacerbated by decades of civil war, has created a volatile environment where armed groups, often ethnically or regionally motivated, continue to fuel violence. Though the formal civil war ended in 2018, the deeply embedded divisions between different ethnic groups, including the Dinka and Nuer, remain. These divisions are often expressed through violent confrontations over cattle and grazing land, which are seen as the foundation of a community’s wealth and survival.
In regions like Magwi county, where farming and cattle herding communities clash over land and resources, tensions frequently boil over into deadly attacks. Such violence has become a routine occurrence, leaving many people fearful for their lives and livelihoods. The recent raid, while particularly brutal, is only one of many such incidents that have occurred over the past few years. The situation is compounded by the presence of small arms and light weapons in the region, a consequence of the years of armed conflict that have flooded the country with weapons. The availability of firearms has made cattle raiding more deadly and has escalated the violence, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated attacks and counterattacks.
The international community, including the United Nations, has been vocal in its condemnation of the violence and calls for peace. Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), expressed deep concern over the increasing violence between pastoralist herders and farming communities in Eastern Equatoria. “Such attacks and counter-attacks must stop,” Haysom said in a statement, emphasizing the urgent need for all parties to show restraint and work towards de-escalation. He also called for measures to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life in the region.
This attack highlights a broader, systemic issue in South Sudan, where tensions between cattle herders and farmers are increasingly playing out through violence. The unresolved conflict between these groups is exacerbated by economic instability and the competition for resources, particularly in a country that has been ravaged by war and is still in the process of rebuilding. South Sudan is a fragile state, still recovering from the scars of its civil war, and such acts of violence make it even harder to imagine a peaceful future for the nation.
Although the main belligerents in South Sudan’s civil war reached a peace agreement in 2018, many armed groups still operate in various parts of the country. These groups continue to engage in violent clashes, often exploiting the unstable environment to further their own agendas. In addition to cattle raiding, these armed groups engage in other forms of violence that undermine any progress made toward peace and stability. This constant cycle of violence has left communities in fear and in need of urgent interventions that can address the root causes of conflict and offer sustainable solutions for peace.
The devastating attack in Magwi county serves as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in South Sudan. With the country’s fragile peace still vulnerable to such violent outbreaks, it is clear that lasting peace will only come through comprehensive efforts to address the country’s ethnic, economic, and social divides. The South Sudanese people continue to suffer as the cycle of violence persists, leaving questions about the path to peace and security unanswered. For the people of South Sudan, the hope for a stable and prosperous future hinges on ending the violence and restoring trust among the country’s divided communities.
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