South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Simon Deng
At least 35 people were killed and 46 others wounded in attacks on four cattle camps owned by Dinka Bor community in Aru Junction area, Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.
Mayom Ateny, the Secretary General of Bor Community Association said that the attacks which occurred on January 31, 2025 were politically motivated to target particularly cattle herders from neighboring Jonglei State.
“On January 31, 2025, the Dinka Bor cattle camps were attacked in Aru Junction, Eastern Equatoria State. The attacks resulted in the deaths of about 35 people and the number of casualties, as we speak, has risen to 46 in all the four cattle camps,” said Mayom on Sunday in an interview.
He said among those killed include 20 women, 11 children and elderly people, adding that 11,000 heads of cattle were also ted by the attackers.
“All this is just political mobilization to kill innocent people. These people are not invaders. They have not committed any crime, the constitution of this country says you can live anywhere and do economic activity anywhere,” he added.
Ateny appealed to the transitional government of national unity to swiftly intervene to resolve the brewing conflict between the cattle herders of Jonglei state and the farmers in Eastern Equatoria state.
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore together with the Magwi County Commissioner, Olum Pole Pole Ataruk had prior to the attacks met with the Dinka Bor herders to advise them to vacate the cattle camps.
“As a community, we see this as targeted massacre; these raiders were facilitated by the Eastern Equatoria State government to attack the innocent cattle herders. There were no farms that were destroyed,” said Ateny.
Oriaja James, the Chairperson of Eastern Equatoria State Youth Union claimed that homes of local residents were torched by Dinka Bor cattle herders during the violence.
“We urge the national government to enforce the previous orders of the President regarding the removal of these cattle militia and take decisive action to safeguard our people and their livelihoods,” said James.
Our attempts to reach, Olum Pole Pole Ataruk, the Magwi County Commissioner and Elia John Ahaji, the Minister of Information for Eastern Equatoria State for comment were futile by press time.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Sunday raised deep concern over the escalating violence between the cattle keepers and farming communities in Eastern Equatoria State.
Haysom revealed that the armed conflict between the cattle herders and the farming communities has created widespread public fear and as well resulted in civilian displacement around Magwi County.
“UNMISS strongly condemn the ongoing violence and call on all involved parties to demonstrate restraint. Such attacks and counter attacks must stop,” said Haysom in a statement.