At least 72 people have been killed in co-ordinated cattle raids in South Sudan's northern Warrap state, according to the regional government. The attack on Monday involved two communities in Tonj North county and is the latest in a cycle of deadly violence linked to cattle ownership and territorial disputes.
The attacks occurred near the border of Warrap and Unity states in the area of Akop Payam, with members of the Lou Ariik community said to have attacked those from the Apuk Padoch community. An unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes burnt during what state authorities described as a co-ordinated assault.
William Wol Mayom Bol, Warrap state's information minister, said the attack followed a deadly incident last Friday that claimed eight lives. The state governor, Angelo Ngot Mayar, sent his condolences to bereaved families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded. He said efforts were under way to recover the cattle and find those responsible.
The state has appealed to humanitarian partners to support vulnerable women, children and elderly left without food, shelter and medicine.
Such violence is often part of a cycle of revenge attacks, as cattle are a main source of wealth and pride for many communities and are also important as dowries for marriage. Clashes over territory are common across South Sudan as the country prepares for its first election since independence in 2011, an election delayed by a brutal civil war that ended with a fragile peace deal in 2018.
Similar attacks in the same area of Warrap state in August killed at least 60 people and injured 50, according to the non-profit conflict monitoring group Acled. A March attack left 58 dead and 71 injured. Last year, a six-month state of emergency was declared in Warrap in an effort to quell the violence.
The United Nations has expressed concern about the situation in South Sudan as the country heads towards presidential elections due in December. The polls were initially delayed by the civil war, and tensions between President Salva Kiir and Deputy Riek Machar led to further delays. Machar was sacked as vice-president and arrested last year on murder, treason and crimes against humanity charges, which he denies. He has been under house arrest in Juba since March 2025.
Preparations for elections have lagged, and human rights groups have questioned whether the country can complete key tasks such as voter registration and security arrangements before the vote.
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Deaths in major cattle raids in Warrap state, South Sudan
deaths
Source: BBC News
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Analysis
Why This Matters
The attacks highlight the ongoing cycle of violence driven by cattle raiding and revenge, which continues to destabilise parts of South Sudan.
The killings come as the country struggles with political tensions and delayed preparations for its first post-independence presidential elections, raising doubts about the credibility and security of the vote.
The humanitarian toll is severe, with women, children and the elderly left without food, shelter or medicine after the coordinated assault.
Background
Cattle are a central source of wealth and pride for many communities in South Sudan. They are used as dowries for marriage, making them a frequent target for raids. Such violence often triggers revenge attacks, perpetuating a cycle of bloodshed. Territorial disputes also fuel clashes. The country's civil war, which ended in 2018 with a peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Deputy Riek Machar, left deep divisions. Elections due in December have already been delayed multiple times, partly due to political instability, including Machar's arrest and house arrest. The UN and human rights groups have voiced concerns over the pace of election preparations.
What to Watch
Whether the state government's efforts to recover the stolen cattle and identify the attackers succeed, or whether the incident triggers further revenge attacks.
The progress of election preparations, including voter registration and security arrangements, as the December poll date approaches.
Any further response from the national government or the United Nations, which has already expressed concern about the situation.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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SupportedAt least 72 people were killed in co-ordinated cattle raids in Warrap state, according to the regional government.BBC News: “At least 72 people have been killed during cattle raids in South Sudan's northern Warrap state, according to the regional government.”
SupportedState authorities reported a co-ordinated attack in Tonj North county, with homes burnt and cattle taken.BBC News: “An unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes burnt during what was a "co-ordinated attack" on Monday involving two communities in Tonj North county, the state authorities said.”
SupportedThe attack happened on Monday and involved two communities in Tonj North county.BBC News: “An unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes burnt during what was a "co-ordinated attack" on Monday involving two communities in Tonj North county, the state authorities said.”
SupportedThe attack occurred near the Warrap-Unity border in Akop Payam, with members of Lou Ariik said to have attacked people from Apuk Padoch.BBC News: “The clashes occurred near the border of Warrap and Unity states in the area of Akop Payam, with some members from Lou Ariik community said to have attacked those from Apuk Padoch community.”
Partly supportedThe raids are linked to both cattle ownership and territorial disputes.BBC News: “Such deadly violence is often part of a cycle of revenge attacks as cattle are a main source of wealth and pride for many communities and are also important as young men need them as dowries to get married. Clashes over territory are also common across the country”
SupportedWilliam Wol Mayom Bol said the attack followed deadly violence last Friday that killed eight people.BBC News: “William Wol Mayom Bol, Warrap state's information minister, said they followed deadly violence last Friday that claimed eight lives.”
SupportedGovernor Angelo Ngot Mayar offered condolences, directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded, and said efforts were under way to recover cattle and find those responsible.BBC News: “The state governor, Angelo Ngot Mayar, sent his condolences to bereaved families and directed security agencies to evacuate the wounded. He said efforts were under way recover the cattle and find those behind the assault.”
SupportedThe state appealed for humanitarian support for vulnerable women, children and elderly people left without food, shelter and medicine.BBC News: “The state has also appealed to humanitarian partners to support vulnerable women, children and elderly left without food, shelter and medicine.”
SupportedAn August attack in the same area killed at least 60 people and injured 50, according to Acled.BBC News: “In August, at least 60 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack in the same area of Warrap state, according to Acled, the non-profit conflict monitoring group.”
SupportedA March attack killed 58 people and injured 71.BBC News: “A similar attack in March led to 58 deaths and 71 injuries.”
SupportedSouth Sudan is preparing for its first election since independence in 2011, with presidential elections due in December; the poll was initially delayed by the civil war.BBC News: “Clashes over territory are also common across the country as it prepares to hold its first election since its independence in 2011 - delayed because of a brutal civil war.”
SupportedMachar was sacked as vice-president, arrested and charged last year, and has been under house arrest in Juba since March 2025.BBC News: “Machar was sacked as vice-president and arrested earlier last year and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies. He has been under house arrest in the capital, Juba, since March last year”