Co-ordinated cattle raids kill at least 72 people in South Sudan

At least 72 individuals have been killed during cattle raids in South Sudan's northern Warrap state, according to the regional administration.

Key points

• William Wol Mayom Bol, Warrap state's information minister, remarked they followed deadly violence last Friday that maintained eight lives.
• A similar attack in March led to 58 deaths and 71 injuries.
• The state governor, Angelo Ngot Mayar, sent his condolences to bereaved families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded.
• Clashes over territory are additionally common nationwide as it prepares to hold its first election since its independence in 2011 – delayed as of a brutal civil war.
• Since March last year as fighting persists in some areas of the country, he has been under house arrest in the capital, Juba.

In practice, an unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes burnt during what was a "co-ordinated attack" on Monday involving two communities in Tonj North county, the state authorities remarked.

Such deadly violence is often part of a cycle of revenge attacks as cattle are a main source of wealth and pride for plenty of communities and are additionally significant as young men need them as dowries to secure married.

In practice, the clashes occurred near the border of Warrap and Unity states in the area of Akop Payam, with some members from Lou Ariik community remarked to have attacked those from Apuk Padoch community.

Notably, the state governor, Angelo Ngot Mayar, sent his condolences to bereaved families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded.

He remarked efforts were under way recover the cattle and find those behind the assault.

Meanwhile, the state has additionally appealed to humanitarian partners to backing vulnerable women, children and elderly left without food, shelter and medicine.

In August, at least 60 individuals were killed and 50 injured in an attack in the same area of Warrap state, according to Acled, the non-profit conflict monitoring group.

Meanwhile, a similar attack in March led to 58 deaths and 71 injuries.

Last year, a six-month state of emergency was declared in Warrup in efforts to quell the increasing violence.

For context, the UN has additionally voiced its worries regarding the situation in South Sudan as the world's youngest country heads towards presidential elections due to be held in December.

Notably, the poll was initially delayed by the civil war. It concluded in 2018 with a fragile peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar.

Nevertheless tensions between the leaders led to further delays: Machar was sacked as vice-president and arrested earlier last year and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity. It he denies.

Preparations for the elections have lagged and human rights groups have raised questions over whether the country can complete key things like voter registration and security arrangements before the vote. You may additionally be interested in.

'Fire came from the sky and burned them' – life on the brink of civil war in South Sudan. A simple guide to the crisis in South Sudan. The mother and children trapped between two conflicts. Bloody cattle raids set challenge for South Sudan.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around co-ordinated cattle raids kill at least 72 people in South Sudan point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.