Spanish
At least 40 people died this Tuesday in eastern South Sudan during clashes that occurred after an attempted theft of 2,500 cattle in the administrative area of Pibor, local authorities informed EFE.
"The attackers looted about 2,500 heads of cattle. Our youths reacted, which left 36 assailants dead. Tragically, four of our own also died and another was injured," Pibor's Information Minister Jacob Warchum explained to EFE.
The assault has been attributed to armed youths from the state of Eastern Equatoria, whose Minister of Information, Elias Ahaj, told EFE that his office "has not yet verified the number of deaths" and that "it is coordinating closely with the authorities of Pibor" about what happened.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and will take the necessary measures in cooperation with our counterparts in Pibor," he said.
Cattle rustling, a key symbol of wealth, status, and dowry in South Sudan, is frequent in several regions of the impoverished African country and is considered one of the main causes of violence, particularly in the states of Yonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Unity.
It is estimated that hundreds of people have died since South Sudan's independence in 2011 in clashes for similar reasons, which various analysts attribute to the scarcity of resources and the weakness of local governance.
"The magnitude of this attack is a reminder that urgent and sustained measures are needed to prevent further loss of life," Warchum emphasized, who called for strengthening security and effective conflict resolution mechanisms at the community level.
Humanitarian agencies warned in statements to EFE that Tuesday's assault could worsen food insecurity in a region where livestock constitutes both the main source of wealth and an essential livelihood.
"Losses of this magnitude can deepen poverty and trigger cycles of revenge attacks," warned a local aid worker under anonymity.
The new surge in intercommunal violence adds to the political crises and growing tensions in Juba and the northern regions between the government of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and the opposition loyal to the vice president, Riek Machar, suspended and tried on several charges, including terrorism.
