Cueibet County Death Toll Rises
At least five people were killed and dozens wounded during clashes on Wednesday and Thursday in Cueibet County, Lakes State. The confrontation pitted Panyar cattle owners against Ruotruot youths after a disputed livestock raid, according to national lawmaker Manyot Magar (Radio Tamazuj).
Sequence of the Cattle Raid
Magar said Ruotruot youths allegedly drove away Panyar herds before dawn. Panyar owners pursued the raiders, and gunfire erupted along grazing corridors, leaving four Panyar herders and one Ruotruot raider dead. The toll remains provisional as several wounded avoided clinics.
Delegation Presence During Skirmish
The fighting unfolded while Governor Rin Tueny Mabor and veteran politician Daniel Awet Akot were in the county to lead reconciliation talks. Despite their presence, no organized security response reached the flashpoint, Magar noted.
Leadership Vacuum and Political Appeals
Magar, who represents the opposition SPLM-IO, blamed a prolonged power vacuum. He argued the state-appointed acting commissioner lacks authority to deter armed youth. He urged President Salva Kiir to confirm an SPLM-IO nominee, in line with the 2018 peace accord.
Civil Society Urges Sustained Dialogue
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization coordinator Daniel Laat Kon confirmed the clashes and warned that short visits by officials cannot address entrenched hostility. He called for continuous confidence-building dialogue and the swift installation of a permanent county commissioner.
Structural Roots of Cattle Conflict
Cattle raiding remains a pervasive trigger for conflict across South Sudan. Competition over herds feeds cycles of revenge and criminality, particularly where local administrations are weak or absent.
Roadmap Toward Lasting Security
Observers say long-term stability in Cueibet depends on restoring local governance, supporting mediation efforts, and ensuring impartial security deployment. Until then, residents fear renewed raids could erupt with little warning.