The government of Jonglei State has strongly condemned the recent fatal attacks in Baidit Payam by suspected armed youth from Pibor Administrative Area.

The youth, who are said to be heavily armed, attacked Baidit Payam in Bor County on Sunday, killing over 30 people and injuring tens of others.

According to the information obtained by The City Review, about 32 innocent civilians were killed, 24 of them injured, and some people are still missing.

Meanwhile, an estimated 2,600 cattle have been raided and property destroyed.

In separate letters seen by The City Review, the Jonglei State government and civil society groups have all condemned the attack and called for immediate action against the attackers.

The acting governor and the state minister of cabinet affairs in Jonglei State, Tuong Majok Deng, described the attackers as enemies of humanity.

“As long as they are designated as enemies of humanity, they must be held accountable for their inhumane treatment and barbaric behaviour toward the state’s innocent populations, ” he said.

He condemned the attack and called on the Pibor Administrative Area (PAA) to find ways to bring the assailants to book.

“We strongly condemn the attack, and we also want the authorities in our neighbouring Pibor Administrative Area to cooperate with us, to help trace the criminals’ identities for justice to take its course, for repetitive bullying to end, and for our collective roles in peaceful coexistence to prevail,” Deng stated.

Deng urged residents in Jonglei State to remain calm and strong as the government is working hard to bring the culprits to book.

Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Amb. Antipas Nyok De Kucha said it was sad to see and hear such behaviour in the state.

However, he called on the GPAA government to cooperate and make sure the criminals are identified and prosecuted.

“The government of Jonglei State will do everything possible to find a lasting solution.  We will be in communication and coordination with the leadership of GPAA to bring this to an end. We can’t continue to lose the souls of humans throughout history,”  Amb. Antipas said.

Atong Kuol Manyang, Jonglei State Minister of Health, said the event left her overwhelmed by the number of graves that were to be dug in one day. She said she was traumatised by the previous night’s events and was navigating how to recover from that.

“On behalf of the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the medical team from Bor State Hospital, Baidit and Aja Ding health facilities, as well as volunteers, for their restless days and nights between Baidit and the State Hospital transporting, receiving, and treating patients; private clinics like Alafia Medical Centre and Memorial for dressing supplies; and Health Partners (WHO, South Sudan Red Cross) for emergency kits.

According to the Executive Director of CEPO, Edmund Yakani, some government officials have a hand in supporting criminal activities in the state.

He said the act of armed youth carrying out heavy attacks on the civilian population is dangerous and is being watched by the state authorities as a normal act.

He said, “When the armed youth were mobilising to carry out the attacks, why did the authorities fail to stop them from carrying out the act. Who is supporting them with ammunition, or who facilitates their access to ammunition? It is clear now that acts by armed youths are facilitated by some individuals in influential government positions.”