JUBA, South Sudan, Aug. 6, 2025 – A civil society organisation has condemned a deadly cattle raid in Mogiri, Central Equatoria State, which left several people dead and an unknown number of livestock stolen.

INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), a national civil society group that advocates for human rights, issued a statement Tuesday expressing deep concern over the incident, which occurred the evening of Aug. 5.

According to ISS, cattle traders from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area had brought hundreds of cattle to the Mogiri market in Juba for auction. The market is a longstanding trading hub. However, armed individuals reportedly attacked the market, killing several people and looting cattle before fleeing the scene.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence against the traders who were going about their routine business,” ISS said. “We also convey our heartfelt sympathies to those affected.”

The group criticized the government for failing to uphold its duty to protect lives and property, noting that responsibility lies with the police and other law enforcement agencies.

ISS called for immediate deployment of security forces to Mogiri, the arrest of those responsible, and the provision of armed escorts for commercial and passenger vehicles along the Juba-Bor road.

“We appeal to South Sudanese to pause and rethink the kind of country they aspire to build: one that destroys itself, or one that embraces peace and growth,” the statement read.