The GPAA’s denial comes after Jonglei State authorities alleged that raiders from the area were responsible for the attack on a Dinka Bor cattle camp in Aru Junction, Eastern Equatoria State. The incident followed days of rising tensions with local communities in Eastern Equatoria.
Jacob Werchum Juok, GPAA’s minister of information and communication, challenged Jonglei State authorities to provide evidence supporting their claims.
“We emphatically denounce the blatant accusations by the Jonglei State authority that our youths were involved in the fatal attack on a cattle camp at Aru Junction, Eastern Equatoria State,” Juok said. “We categorically deny any involvement of our youth in such actions and demand that the government of Jonglei State conduct an independent investigation into this matter and make the outcome public.”
Juok asserted that GPAA youth remained within their territory and had not allied with any group to carry out attacks within South Sudan or the Equatoria region, as alleged. He emphasized the GPAA’s commitment to peace and cooperation with neighboring communities.
The attack targeted Dinka Bor herders who had moved their cattle to Eastern Equatoria State.
No group has claimed responsibility for the raid. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for peaceful relocation of herders and a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of conflict in the region.
