BOR — Rival SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG administrations in Nyirol County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State have exchanged accusations over claims that more than 7,000 heads of cattle were stolen during recent fighting in Lankien.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Peter Gatkuoth Koang Dhuor, the SPLM-IO-appointed commissioner of Nyirol County, said an assessment conducted by his office together with local chiefs and affected cattle owners had verified that 7,304 heads of cattle were looted during an alleged raid carried out by what he described as “SSPDF militias” on July 13.
According to the statement, the losses were recorded across several locations, including Lankien headquarters (1,500 cattle), Thol (1,200), Kapnak (1,104), Dengdor (1,050), Dick (950), Wechtuongkol (800), and Majok (700).
“The Office of the Commissioner has finalised data collection alongside local chiefs, head chiefs, and affected cattle owners,” the statement said.
“We reiterate our strongest condemnation of this brutal economic attack on our civilians and demand the immediate return of all stolen livelihood assets.”
The claim follows an earlier SPLM-IO statement that accused government forces of carrying out a raid in Lankien after clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLM-IO fighters.
However, the government-appointed Commissioner of Nyirol County, James Bol Makuei, dismissed the allegations, describing the reported livestock losses as fabricated.
In a separate statement issued the same day, the office of Bol rejected the SPLM-IO figures, accusing the opposition administration of attempting to mislead the public and the international community.
“The legitimate Government of Nyirol County categorically rejects these allegations as false, misleading, and intended to misinform the public and the international community,” the statement said.
The statement further condemned what he called the spread of false information at a time when communities require accurate reporting and efforts toward peace and reconciliation.
He urged humanitarian agencies, media organisations and members of the public to rely only on information released by his office and other recognised government institutions.
“The Office of the Commissioner remains committed to protecting civilians, promoting peace, and ensuring that any verified incidents are investigated and communicated through the appropriate official channels,” the statement added.
Neither administration provided independent evidence to substantiate its claims, and Sudans Post has not been able to independently verify either the reported theft of 7,304 cattle or the government’s assertion that the figures are false.
The exchange comes amid heightened tensions in Jonglei State following recent clashes between SSPDF and SPLM-IO forces in Lankien, with both sides continuing to issue conflicting accounts of the fighting and its humanitarian impact.
Cattle are the principal source of wealth and livelihoods for many communities in Jonglei, and large-scale livestock losses can have severe economic and humanitarian consequences for affected households.
