(GPAA, VERTET COUNTY) – At least five people were killed and one injured on Saturday after armed youth attacked Muur village in Verthet County, Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA). The raid led to the theft of thousands of cattle and raised fears of worsening violence in the region.
GPAA’s Information Minister, Jacob Werchum Jouk, blamed youth from Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta East County for the attack. He confirmed that 2,500 cattle were stolen, though most were later recovered. About 400 cows remain missing.
Impact of the Raid (Estimated at $350 per cow)
| Item | Number | Value in SSP | Value in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle stolen | 2,500 | 6.21 billion SSP | $875,000 |
| Cattle still missing | 400 | 994 million SSP | $140,000 |
Werchum said five local youth were killed and one other wounded in the attack. He added that retaliatory clashes left 36 bodies believed to be from the side of the attackers.
He urged authorities in Eastern Equatoria to intervene, warning that such violence could derail upcoming peace talks. “We are for peace and we want the local authorities in Eastern Equatoria State to stop the ongoing violence because very soon we are holding a peace conference,” Werchum told media.
Eastern Equatoria’s Information Minister, Elia John Ahaji, said his state was not informed of the attack and stressed the need for cooperation. “For 36 people to be killed in a single incident is a big disaster, and the youth could have reached us very fast,” he said. “As a state, we are following to find the truth because we are hearing this from the media. Fighting crime requires collective responsibility.”
Cattle raiding continues to cause human and economic losses in South Sudan. Livestock remains a primary store of wealth, a source of food, and a form of currency for dowries and trade. With each cow valued at about $350, the missing cattle from Muur represent a loss of nearly 1 billion SSP.
Economists warn that such raids destabilise rural economies, undermine livestock markets, and limit investment opportunities in agriculture and trade. Cattle are also used as collateral in informal credit systems, meaning their loss reduces household security and future productivity.
Community leaders have called for national and state authorities to step in. Without stronger enforcement and cross-border cooperation, they warn, cycles of violence and retaliation could worsen.
For South Sudan, where cattle wealth is at the heart of rural life and commerce, the Verthet County raid has once again revealed the need for reforms in livestock management, rural security, and conflict resolution. Peace in cattle keeping areas is not only about saving lives but also about stabilising local economies that support millions of families.
