Gunmen Kill 49 Persons, Others Injured In Raid On South Sudan Camp | Sahara Reporters

The young African nation has been plagued by violent cattle raids, with herders competing for scarce grazing land and water for their livestock.

At least 49 people have been killed and 33 others wounded after gunmen attacked a seasonal cattle camp and village in northwest South Sudan.

The attack took place early on Thursday at the Machar-Pakuek cattle camp and Mading Juer Boma in Majak Payam, Tonj North County, Warrap State, according to an official statement.

The young African nation has been plagued by violent cattle raids, with herders competing for scarce grazing land and water for their livestock.

“The attack was perpetrated by an armed cross-border, criminal network,” said Warrap spokesperson William Wol Mayom Bol.

“We extend heartfelt condolences to the families that lost loved ones in the attack and appeal for restraint,” he added.

The local government condemned the attack and called on humanitarian organisations to help respond to the “humanitarian catastrophe resulting from conflict-induced displacement”.

The attack came barely three weeks after another raid in the same area left 60 people dead and 50 wounded.

Last year, President Salva Kiir declared a six-month state of emergency across South Sudan amid a surge in violent inter-communal cattle raids.

Earlier this month, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Anita Kiki Gbeho, expressed concerns over the cycle of communal violence in places such as Warrap.