A heartrending series of events revolving around a dispute over cattle last month resulted in the loss of two lives, the injury of two other people, and has now culminated in the giving of a 15-year-old girl as compensation in Ngutube village in Eastern Equatoria State’s Ikotos County.
This horror started unfolding on the evening of 26 May, when a man only identified as Logara, now deceased, opened fire following an alleged family quarrel, claiming the lives of a man and a woman instantly, while two others sustained serious injuries and are now receiving medical care at Ikotos PHCC.
After fleeing to a nearby village, late Logara was apprehended by local youths who brought him back to the site of the tragedy in hopes of resolving the matter through traditional means. In an escalation, he was also killed by the grieving family members of the victims.
Sources reveal that both families agreed on a traditional resolution, which shockingly included compensating the injured with the responsibility of caring for the young girl.
An eyewitness, Lokang David, described the community’s collective struggle to find a resolution, highlighting the painful reality that both families felt compelled to resolve this cycle of violence through a grim understanding of compensation.
“It’s heart-wrenching,” Lokang explains, reflecting on the cycle of violence that seems to plague the community.
He noted that this was not an isolated incident and expressed concern for the plight of innocent children and girls caught in the middle of these disputes. “Our children deserve better. Unfortunately, fundamental human rights and education seem to be lost in the chaos that grips our villages.”
A clinical officer, Mr. Lodai Karlos, who oversees Ikotos PHCC, spoke with genuine concern about the injured men, providing updates on their medical conditions.
He mentioned that although both individuals are receiving necessary treatment for gunshot wounds, the lack of resources, such as advanced imaging services, hampers their recovery.
Their family is currently seeking funds to transport them to a more equipped medical facility for further assistance.
“We hope for the best for them,” Karlos said, highlighting the need for improved healthcare access in the region.
He pointed out that while there are better facilities available, the financial burden of seeking care outside their immediate area poses serious challenges for families like these.
Meanwhile, Lohisa Joseph, a lawmaker at the Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, expressed concern regarding the incident.
“I must admit I was not fully aware of the details. However, like many in the county, I have been gathering information about what transpired. The issue of compensation, particularly involving the young girl, has raised significant concerns,” he says. “It appears there was a discussion about selling a cow to help cover medical expenses for those injured, but it is clear this has created further complications and economic strain. The wounded individuals remain here in the hospital, and it pains me to say that the situation is far from resolved.”
He emphasized the need for awareness and understanding when it comes to matters of compensation, particularly for young individuals like the girl involved.
“It is distressing to think that an innocent child would bear the repercussions of such a tragic event,” the lawmaker stated. “As a member of Parliament, I firmly condemn this practice. No child should be caught in the crossfire of adult conflicts.”
For her part, Davidika Ikai Grasiano, a female activist who represents the ITWAK Women Empowerment Organization, condemned the practice of giving girls as compensation to settle disputes.
“As a women’s rights advocate, I find the arrangement to compensate the young girl deeply troubling. She is an innocent bystander in this situation and has not been involved in any wrongdoing. We must urge those responsible for the violence to engage legal avenues rather than resort to practices that fail to seek justice through the proper channels,” she said. “It is vital for our community to prioritize law and order, ensuring that such incidents are reported to the police and brought before the courts, rather than being resolved through misguided means.
“The community’s focus must remain on healing and reform, ensuring that the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the most vulnerable, are upheld,” Ikai added.
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