South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Authorities in Lainya County, Central Equatoria State, are mourning the loss of a local resident following a deadly raid. The attack, reportedly carried out by suspected cattle keepers from neighboring Terekeka County, has ignited outrage among community members.
Alongside the tragic loss of life, several goats and other livestock were reportedly stolen during the raid.
“These are cattle keepers who raided goats from the county and killed one person, which has created panic among the communities, This violence is unacceptable” the Commissioner of Lainya County Robert Lasu told the Dawn by phone from Lainya on Thursday.
He expressed deep concern over the incident that occurred in the county.
Lasu emphasized that the attack was a clear violation of earlier peace agreements reached through inter-community dialogue sessions aimed at managing and regulating cattle grazing across the region.
According to Lasu, the incident has left residents feeling unsafe and anxious, raising fears of further attacks. He warned that such actions could derail the fragile peace efforts that have been painstakingly built over recent months through community engagement and dialogue.
Commissioner Lasu urged both state and national leadership to take swift and decisive action. “We call upon both the state and national governments to take decisive action,” he said. “Not only to bring the perpetrators to justice but also to restore and guarantee the security of our people.”
In response to the incident, Lasu immediately sent forces from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to the affected area. While the initial search did not result in any arrests, as the attackers had already fled, a second team was dispatched to continue the pursuit.
“The security situation is calm as our forces are on the ground,” Lasu explained. “Today, we have sent another team to continue the search.”
Lasu reaffirmed his commitment to protecting citizens, maintaining peace, and upholding the rule of law. He promised to enhance cooperation with security agencies to prevent future violence and ensure lasting stability in the region.
