At least 23 people have been killed and 44 others injured in violent clashes involving different ethnic groups in South Sudan, a local official reported on Tuesday. The deadly conflict, centered around cattle theft, erupted in a village in Eastern Equatoria state.
A spokesperson for the local administration disclosed that heavily armed thieves attacked the village, resulting in the theft of hundreds of cattle. Additionally, seven children and five women were abducted during the raid. Members of the Murle ethnic group, equipped with automatic rifles and other rapid-fire weapons, were identified as the attackers.
This latest incident follows a series of deadly attacks linked to cattle theft in South Sudan. Cattle rearing is not only a crucial economic activity for many ethnic groups in the region but also deeply ingrained in their culture, symbolizing wealth and social status.
The ongoing violence underscores the complex socio-economic dimensions of cattle theft in the region, posing significant challenges to peace and stability in South Sudan.
