Five people were reportedly killed and houses burnt to ashes by cattle herders in Abara Boma of Magwi County on Wednesday at around 5:00 PM, according to Louis Lobong Lojore, Governor of Eastern Equatoria State.
He in his statement to the media said the people of Magwi County continue to face harassment, fear and killing after the attack last Sunday at Agoro Payam, Radio Emmanuel reported.
“Yesterday at around 5:00 PM in the evening, Abara Boma in Magwi County was attacked by the cattle herders from Jonglei State, five people were killed, houses were burnt and a number of cattle taken, after the attack on the cattle keepers by cattle raiders in Agoro last Sunday, the community of Magwi continued to witness harassment, intimidation, beating and killing by the cattle herders from Jonglei State. This has created fear among the peaceful farmers of Magwi, many got displaced from their homes to Magwi County headquarters and they are experiencing harsh conditions due to scarce resources and insufficient facilities in Magwi headquarters in terms of food, shelter, medical care and others”, Lobong explained.
The Governor condemns the ongoing attack on the innocent indigenous people of Magwi County, calling on the national government to intervene and rescue the situation.
“The Government and people of Eastern Equatoria State condemn in the strongest terms possible this uncalled for attack and killing of people in Magwi County, we call upon the cattle keepers from Jonglei to stop harassment and killing of the innocent people and immediately return to their areas of origin in Jonglei. We call upon the national government to order the South Sudan Defense Forces or SSPDF to intervene and save the lives and properties of the people in Eastern Equatoria State and ensure the immediate return of the cattle herders to their areas of origin”, he appealed.
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore was giving his statement to the media from the Governor’s Palace on Thursday.