By Correspondent

Central Equatoria State Governor, Augustino Jadalla, has cautioned youths against being used to spur conflicts.

The Governor made the remarks while visiting Aru Junction in Lokiliri Payam on Monday to assess the security situation, following reports of cattle herders encroachment into the area and conflicts in Nyolo village.

“The youth should not allow themselves to be used as fuel to ignite conflicts. As a government, we will do our best to address this issue,” Governor Jadalla stated.

Jadalla urged the community to remain calm and refrain from taking law into their hands, assuring them that the government will ensure their security.

The Governor’s visit followed recent tensions caused by the encroachment of armed cattle herders from Jonglei State into the area.

On Friday, deadly violence erupted after armed criminals attacked cattle herders from Jonglei State who camped in Nyolo Village in Magwi County. Chairperson of the Bor community, Dr. Angok Gordon, told the media on Monday that the death told from the attacks had risen to 41 people, and left 65 others wounded.

Dr. Angok, however, urged the cattle herders to remain calm and not to take law into their hands.

Meanwhile, Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Atong Kuol Manyang told Eye Radio that she believes the attackers of the deadly cattle herders were from the Pibor Administrative Area and Eastern Equatoria State.

“The cattle keepers were attacked by youth from Murle and as a result, of course, when they were attacking, they were also joined by some youth from which includes youth from Toposa and youth from Boya,” Atong told Eye Radio.

“So far, the information we had is that over 30 were killed, most of them were children and women. Out of 33, which I had in hand, 20 were women and children, and the rest were youth and some elderly people,” Atong added, stating that the number could rise as some people might have died in the mountains.

The statement has been refuted by youth from both Eastern Equatoria State and officials from the Greater Pibor Administrative Areas (GPAA).