At least eight cattle traders were killed and eight others injured after armed assailants raided an auction center in Mogiri, on the outskirts of Juba, Central Equatoria State, on Tuesday evening. The attackers also stole more than 3,000 cattle.
Mogiri is located in Mangala Payam that lies around 75 kilometers from the capital, Juba.
Jacob Werchum Juok, the information minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday morning that the victims were Murle cattle traders who had arrived in Mogiri from Pibor days earlier to sell their livestock.
“On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., our cattle traders were attacked in Mogiri. The attackers managed to overpower our youth, killing eight and injuring eight others. They also took 3,000 head of cattle toward Mangala,” Werchum said.
He added, “The identity of the attackers is not confirmed because they attacked during the night. Investigations are still being carried out to determine who they are. After past incidents, security measures were put in place, but these attackers still overpowered the traders and local security.”
Jacob Aligo, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Information, acknowledged the incident but said he had yet to receive a full briefing. He noted that the market site in Mogiri had not been officially designated for livestock trading, raising concerns about the lack of security infrastructure in the area.
“This market was never formally established. It simply developed as people began trading there. We are now working on plans to fence off the area and improve security. But until resources are made available, the site remains vulnerable,” Aligo stated.
He added that authorities are considering public calls to either relocate the market to Juba town or shut it down completely, citing growing insecurity, cattle raids, and the area’s use as a hideout for criminals who attack nearby villages and vehicles on the Juba-Bor highway.
“If the location has become a source of conflict, perhaps it’s time to reconsider its suitability,” Aligo added. “Ultimately, we need to disarm civilians to prevent such violent raids.”
Calls to Gen. James Monday Enoka, the national police spokesperson, went unanswered.
Bol Deng Bol, a civil society activist and executive director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), said the attack was especially concerning amid ongoing peace efforts between cattle-keeping communities in the greater Pibor area, Jonglei State, and neighboring areas.
“We extend our sympathies to the families who lost loved ones. These incidents could have been prevented because security forces are stationed there,” he said. “We condemn this attack and urge authorities to address these issues by engaging cattle keepers. These raiders are said to be in the bush, but an inclusive process involving all stakeholders is needed.”
Violence involving cattle traders has occurred sporadically along the Juba-Bor road, with authorities exercising little control.