JUBA – The citizens of Kajo-Kaji County in Central Equatoria on Friday held memorial services for 28 civilians who were massacred by armed herders at Lire Payam.
On February 2, 2023, over 28 civilians were killed by armed herders in a reprisal attack on a cattle camp in Lire Payam of Kajo-Keji on the eve of the visit of Pope Francis.
Speaking after meeting with CES Governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony yesterday, Phanuel Dumo, Kajo-Keji county commissioner said the victims were laid to rest in a mass grave in Kajo-Keji County.
“We have declared all over Kajo-Keji a memorial day remembering what happened on 2 February 2023 when cattle herders murdered around 28 people who were buried in mass graves and this is going to be the first time in our history of Kajo-Keji County,” Dumo said.
Dumo said a memorial is held to ensure the stories of the beloved sons and daughters of Kajo-Keji County are not forgotten.
“Every year reaching that day, all of us will come together to remember those who were buried in mass graves,” he said.
“The community at large, religious people will be there and not for the whole day but there will be prayers and people will be giving flowers and candle lighting and from there, people will depart,” he further added.