Armed raid on cattle camp kills at least 49 in South Sudan

A gunmen raid on a seasonal cattle camp and village in northwest South Sudan killed at least 49 people and wounded 33, local officials said on Thursday. The attack, which targeted the Machar‑Pakuek cattle camp and the Mading Juer Boma in Majak Payam of Tonj North County in Warrap State, occurred early in the day and has been described as a “humanitarian catastrophe” by the local government.

According to a statement from the Warrap state spokesperson William Wol Mayom Bol, the assault was carried out by an armed cross‑border criminal network. “We extend heartfelt condolences to the families that lost loved ones in the attack and appeal for restraint,” Bol added, urging the community to stay calm amid the violence.

The raid added to a string of deadly cattle‑raiding incidents that have plagued the young African nation, where herders frequently clash over limited grazing lands and water sources. “The attack was perpetuated by an armed cross‑border, criminal network,” the spokesperson said, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat.

Local authorities condemned the violence and called on humanitarian organisations to help respond to the displacement and trauma caused by the attack. The government urged aid agencies to provide relief to the affected families and to support efforts to restore peace in the region.

The incident comes barely three weeks after another raid in the same area that left 60 people dead and 50 wounded, highlighting the escalating cycle of inter‑communal violence that has destabilised Warrap State. The pattern of cattle raids has prompted the South Sudanese government to take unprecedented measures.

In 2023 President Salva Kiir declared a six‑month state of emergency across the country in response to a surge of violent cattle‑raiding and inter‑ethnic clashes. The emergency powers were intended to give security forces greater flexibility to quell the violence, but critics argue that the measures have not curbed the frequency of attacks.

Earlier this month, Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), expressed concern over the ongoing cycle of communal violence in places such as Warrap. Gbeho warned that repeated attacks on civilian populations could undermine the fragile peace process and called for increased international support to address the root causes of the conflict.

The Machar‑Pakuek cattle camp, used seasonally by herders, had been a target of repeated raids in recent months. The latest assault saw gunmen breach the camp’s perimeter and open fire on residents, resulting in a high death toll and numerous injuries. Many of the victims were reportedly unarmed civilians who were caught in the crossfire.

In response to the latest tragedy, the Warrap state government has pledged to increase security patrols and to investigate the perpetrators. It has also requested the deployment of additional UNMISS troops to the region to deter future attacks and to assist with the protection of civilians.

The violence has forced many families to flee their homes, creating a surge in internally displaced persons within the county. Humanitarian agencies have reported that basic services such as food, water, and medical care are now in short supply, compounding the humanitarian crisis triggered by the raid.

South Sudan’s ongoing security challenges are rooted in a complex mix of ethnic tensions, competition over scarce resources, and weak state institutions. While the government has taken steps to address the crisis, the persistence of armed groups and the lack of effective law enforcement continue to fuel violence.

The international community remains concerned about the safety of civilians in South Sudan and has urged the government to strengthen its security apparatus. The United Nations and regional partners have called for a comprehensive strategy that includes community‑based conflict resolution, improved water and grazing infrastructure, and robust enforcement of the law.

As the country grapples with the aftermath of the latest raid, the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and a sustained peace‑building effort remains critical. The 49 deaths and 33 injuries underscore the urgent necessity of protecting civilians and addressing the underlying drivers of cattle‑raiding violence in South Sudan.