South Sudan: Fatal clashes occur during cattle raid in Tonj East county (Warrap state) November 8-9

Event

At least 16 people were killed and 48 others injured as clashes broke out over cattle raids in Tonj East county (Warrap state) on Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9. Fighting broke out on Sunday after youths from the Adoor section of the Rek community raided cattle from the Luacjang community in an apparent reprisal raid on those they claim raided their cattle earlier in the year. Youth from the Luacjang community responded the next day by following the raiders in an attempt to recover the stolen cattle, which resulted in further clashes.

Security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the area to defuse tensions. However, further inter-communal clashes cannot be ruled out in the near term.

Context

South Sudan has been wracked by years of political, interethnic, and intercommunal violence - exacerbated by border and oil revenue disputes with Sudan. President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar signed an initial peace agreement in September 2018, following a series of negotiations. The unity government was only agreed on February 22, 2020.

Advice

Due to the high threat of intercommunal conflict and violent crime, all travel to South Sudan should be subject to a thorough localized threat assessment and undertaken in coordination with a trusted security provider. Members are advised to subject all travel, particularly to remote and rural areas, to strict journey management protocols. Avoid travel at night, vary routines and maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness. Monitor local media sources to remain apprised of security-related developments and adhere to any directives issued by local authorities.