At least 12 individuals have been reported killed, and 15 children are missing following an attack on a village in eastern South Sudan by unidentified youths, officials revealed on Tuesday.
The incident adds to the escalating local conflicts ahead of anticipated elections later this year.
Although the primary belligerents have been at peace since the civil war of 2013-2018, clashes persist among various armed groups, contributing to a fragile security situation.
According to Abraham Kelang, Information Minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, the attack occurred on Sunday in Ajwara village, situated in Pochalla county of Pibor.
“Twelve people were killed, 10 injured and there were some cattle that were raided,” he told Reuters, adding that most of the dead were elderly.
The assailants, believed to be from the Murle ethnic group, are also suspected of abducting children, as mentioned by Owety Olung, the acting commissioner of Pochalla County.
“We have 15 children who are still missing right now. We don’t know where they are if they are with the attackers or in the bush,” he told Reuters.
Pochalla County, primarily inhabited by the Anyuak ethnic group, has experienced sporadic conflicts with the Murle, who predominantly reside in neighboring Boma County.
The violence, often fueled by cattle rustling, has drawn involvement from ethnic groups in neighboring Jonglei State.
In late March, a similar incident saw youths gun down 15 people in Pibor, including government officials and security personnel. The recent violence adds to previous instances, including the killing of a county commissioner in Pibor last year, attributed to the same group.
Earlier this year, conflicts between rival groups in northern and western South Sudan resulted in the deaths of over 150 individuals, underscoring the ongoing challenges to stability in the region.
