At least 30 people were killed and more than 40 wounded after an armed youth group briefly overran a town in northern South Sudan, a local official confirmed Thursday, following a violent cattle raid that escalated into a broader assault.
The attack occurred in the Ruweng Administrative Area and marks one of the deadliest recent incidents in a country where clashes between pastoralist groups and farming communities are tragically common. The violence also comes amid rising tensions over South Sudan’s fragile political landscape.
According to Simon Chol Mialith, the region’s Minister of Information, the violence began earlier in the week when armed youth from Mayom County raided livestock, stealing lambs from the outskirts of Abiemnom. Although security forces initially repelled the attackers, the group returned in larger numbers the next day and launched a full-scale assault on the town.
“Despite efforts by local youth and security forces to defend Abiemnom, they were overrun,” Mialith told AFP, adding that South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) regained control of the town by Wednesday, restoring calm.
“The death toll has now reached 30, with more than 40 injured,” he said. He did not provide a breakdown of casualties, though local media reports suggest that some of the dead were among the attackers.
The violence comes at a volatile time, as forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar continue to clash in various parts of the country, threatening the already fragile 2018 peace agreement that ended a devastating five-year civil war.
Despite gaining independence in 2011 and possessing substantial oil reserves, South Sudan remains mired in insecurity, poverty, and political instability. The latest incident underscores the persistent threat posed by local militias and intercommunal violence, further complicating efforts to build a lasting peace.