The number now counted as dead from Sunday's attack in our home county (Gogrial East) is now over 90 people. The cattle camps I visited last Wednesday were hit by the attack. The people of the Apuk Dinka are now officially in a state of mourning, with most people having lost a relative. Many more are injured. See BBC article: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13350791
Although the attacks were in the cattle-camps and limited to the swampy parts, it seems that the attack was not a normal cattle-raid but was conducted by Gadet's rebel force. Gadet has been a long opponent of the governing SPLA/M party. His base is in neighbouring Unity State and, under pressure from the SPLA (the governing army) to the east, he has been seeking to attack to the west (i.e. our Dinka Apuk people in Gogrial East). There are reports that further attacks may occur. Without significant numbers of SPLA nearby to offer defence and security, the teenagers of the county are left alone to defend themselves and their livelihoods.
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