Jonglei raid leaves 3,000 cattle stolen, 35 livestock dead

JUBA—At least 3,000 cattle were raided, and 35 livestock killed during Tuesday’s attack carried out by suspected armed youth from Pibor Administrative Areas in Baidit Payam of Bor County in Jonglei State, an official said.
The incident took place on Tuesday at 12:20 a.m. in Baidit Payam while people were asleep.
Nyamar Lony Thichot, the State Minister of Information, reported that attackers opened fire on the village while residents were sleeping, resulting in the deaths of 10 cows, 5 goats, and 20 donkeys.

“On February 10, 2026, at 12:20 am, armed Murle youth carried out a heinous attack on Baidit Payam in Bor County, raiding 3,000 herds of cattle, killing several livestock of 10 cows, 5 goats, and 20 donkeys, and no human casualties were reported,” Nyamar said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.
She said the state government condemned the attack on Baidit Payam.

“The government of Jonglei State condemns in the strongest terms possible the attack carried out by armed Murle youth in Baidit Payam, the previous attack carried out in Duk Padiet and Poktap, and the continued acts of killing and raiding carried out by armed Murle youth on Jonglei State,” he said.

Nyamar stated that the attacks represent a serious violation of the peace agreement and the confidence-building measures that have been carefully established through government-led peace initiatives, with support from the peace canal.

“Such reckless actions represent a clear breach of the covenant of peaceful co-existence and seriously threaten to reverse the fragile gains made toward reconciliation, stability, and inter-communal harmony.”

She cautioned that if the issue is not promptly addressed, these actions may lead to a return to cycles of violence and conflict in the affected areas.

Nyamar stated that the local authorities requested their counterparts to take immediate action to apprehend those involved and return all the stolen cattle to their rightful owners.

“The government of Jonglei State, under the leadership of H.E. Dr Riek Gai Kok, Governor of Jonglei, appeals to the authorities of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPPA) to immediately intervene to apprehend all individuals involved, return all the raided cattle to their owners, and ensure these criminals are brought to justice.”

Efforts to reach Jacob Werchum Jouk, the Information Minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), were unsuccessful.

The region bordering Ethiopia to the east has long been plagued by ethnic fighting over cattle grazing grounds and access to water sources.

The region is prone to deadly cattle rustling between the Nuer, Murle, and Dinka tribes, who often carry out retaliatory attacks against each other, killing hundreds and destroying property, alongside child abduction.

Authorities in Jonglei state have blamed some incidents of violence on armed Murle youth from the neighbouring Greater Pibor Administrative Area.