JUBA – Civil society group Intrepid South Sudan (ISS) has called for national government intervention following reports of deadly attack against cattle traders from Pibor Administrative Area, at Mogiri in Central Equatoria State, on Tuesday.
The scene of the alleged attack is a bustling commercial center for cattle traders from Jonglei, Pibor, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria.
ISS said it received “disturbing reports of massive cattle raiding” and loss of lives at Mogiri cattle market, which was perpetrated by unidentified elements from the area.
Eye witness accounts indicate that a large number of cattle were raided. Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, which is not the first of its kind against cattle traders in the area.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence against the traders who were going about their routine business and also convey our heartfelt sympathies to those affected,” the group said.
It urges the government to swiftly respond, underscoring that the police and other members of the organized forces are mandated by the law to protect the lives, properties and livelihoods of South Sudanese citizens.
“We are calling for deployment of security forces at Mogiri area and immediate arrest of the perpetrators, as well as security escort to commercial and passenger vehicles along the Juba-Bor road to guarantee safety of passengers.”
“We are appealing to South Sudanese in general to pause and rethink the kind of country they aspire to build; one that eats itself up or one that tolerates and build itself.”