A 46-year-old woman was raped, one person was killed, and at least six others have been seriously injured after armed cattle herders repeatedly attacked Mirikiyo Boma in Juba County’s Rokon Payam in Central Equatoria State, local authorities said.
Rokon Payam Director David Roja Michael told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the violence began on 22 January when armed cattle herders confronted local youth who were fishing in the area. During the confrontation, one youth was shot dead.
On the same day, the herders allegedly allowed their cattle to destroy crops in Mirikyio Boma. Community members reportedly seized four head of cattle and took them to the police after failing to find their owners. However, when the herders later followed up, they rejected police mediation and demanded the immediate release of their cattle.
According to Roja, tensions escalated further on 25 January when the herders launched a large-scale attack on the boma after residents insisted the matter be handled by authorities.
“They attacked the area, burned three huts, looted homes, and drove away more than 200 goats,” he said.
During the assault, one person was shot and injured, while five others were beaten, some with pangas. Six of the injured, including the gunshot victim, were referred to Juba for advanced treatment. Among them was a 46-year-old woman who was beaten and raped during the attack and is currently receiving medical care in the capital.
Roja added that two youths were abducted during the violence, with one still missing.
The attack triggered mass displacement, with more than 1,000 people fleeing their homes. Residents from Mirikyio and neighboring bomas have sought refuge at Rokon Centre, where many are sheltering under trees and in churches.
“The people have no food, no shelter, and no basic support,” Roja stated, adding that injured residents being treated at Rokon Primary Health Care Centre are facing severe shortages of medicines, dressing materials, and painkillers.
He said local authorities, including the Juba County Commissioner Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, members of parliament, and security officials, visited the affected area and confirmed the destruction.
According to the payam official, the attackers came from the Akule area of Terekeka County, which is inhabited by the Mundari people. Roja said that despite earlier agreements reached during a peace conference in Koda for cattle herders to return to their areas, some continue to graze in Rokon farmlands.
“These cattle herders destroy sorghum and cassava fields and sometimes force women at gunpoint to harvest cassava for them,” he said.
Roja appealed to the government and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene by providing food, shelter, and medical supplies to displaced families and injured residents.
“We appreciate the quick response by the county commissioner, but the needs are still very big, especially food, shelter, and medical support,” he stated.