Displaced Person in South Sudan Mundri East County Western Equatoria State

At least 22 people have been killed, three injured and thousands displaced in a series of attacks in Mundri East County of Western Equatoria state since March 9, residents and local authorities said.

The attacks were allegedly carried out by cattle raiders from Terekeka County in neighboring Central Equatoria state, targeting cattle-keeping communities according to reports.

A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the violence had affected several areas, including Minga and Lozoh payams.

He said 17 people were killed in Minga Payam, while an earlier attack in Lozoh Payam last Friday left three men dead and others injured, with cattle stolen.

The attackers also targeted civilians as they fled with the looted animals, he added.

David Bisi, the payam administrator of Witto, said more than 1,000 people had fled to Witto from Minga, Lozoh and surrounding areas.

He said displaced families were facing acute shortages of food, shelter and other essentials, worsened by ongoing rains. Samson Sunday Thomas, a Relief and Rehabilitation Commission representative in Witto Payam, said more than 1,375 displaced people had been registered in the area.