The governor of Eastern Equatoria state Louis Lobong Lojore has deplored recent killings in Kapoeta North and Magwi Counties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor said a combined force from the Tenet, Buya, and Murle communities were responsible for the deadly attacks that led to the killing of dozens of people in Kapoeta North last week.
He said the two coordinated attacks carried out in just a span of two weeks led to the loss of several innocent lives on both sides. 15 000 herds of Toposa cattle were also raided.
“Five children were abducted, and the 71 people wounded in the attacks are currently receiving medication at a health facility in Napak. My sincere condolence to both families who parish in this senseless attack,” Lobong said in the statement.
He disclosed that the state government will transport the wounded Murle attackers to greater Pibor Administrative Area “on humanitarian grounds.”
“I condemn this barbaric attacks in strongest term possible and urged people of Murle, Tenet and Buya to desist from engaging in this acts,” he added.
Turning to the incidents in Magwi County, governor Lobong said on Sunday suspected cattle keepers from Dinka Bor abducted two people and slaughtered them in cold blood and escaped with their goats in Mugali Payam.
He further said on July 11, an unknown gunmen gunmen stormed a funeral service in Nimule and killed the head chief of Mugali Payam.
These killings sparked protests with locals barricading the road with burnt tires.
Governor Lobong condemned the killings and called for restraint.
“I call on the people Eastern Equatoria State to exercise maximum restraint. Let us continuously work towards building a peaceful united South Sudan free from conflicts and tribal animosities,” he appealed.
The governor further said “the government is doing all it can to bring the culprits to books.”
Major General James Monday Enoka, the State Commissioner of Police said security forces have been deployed in Nimule to restore calm.