"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.
The United Nations peacekeeping operation in South Sudan (UNMISS) has dispatched a verification team to the site of a fresh round of deadly clashes and cattle rustling attacks in the new country.
UNMISS spokesperson Aleem Siddique confirmed to the UN News Centre today that a team has been sent to verify the extent of the attacks, which occurred last weekend in Unity state in the north of the landlocked country.
Media reports indicate at least 46 people were killed in the latest clashes, in which youths from a neighbouring state travelled to Unity to steal cattle. About 5,000 cows are reported to have been taken.
Cattle have enormous material and symbolic value in South Sudan, where bride prices are often paid in cows, and there have been increasingly frequent rustling raids in recent months, particularly between different ethnic groups.
Last month Hilde Johnson, the head of UNMISS and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan, urged all ethnic communities to exercise restraint.
“This cycle of violence must stop,” she said. “That so many people have been killed or injured again in such wanton destruction is unacceptable.”
South Sudan became independent from Sudan on 9 July after voters overwhelmingly approved the option in a referendum in January.
PaanLuel Wël is a South Sudanese blogger, writer and media entrepreneur who runs a popular online media platform called PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers various topics related to South Sudan and the world. PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd is a website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. It was founded in 2011 by PaanLuel Wël and a group of South Sudanese bloggers and writers who wanted to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue. The website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël, one of the most influential and respected voices in the South Sudanese media landscape, is a proud son of South Sudan who strives to contribute to the development and prosperity of his country and people. He is passionate about promoting the values of democracy, human rights, peace and development in South Sudan and beyond. He believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups. He is an advocate for freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental rights for all citizens. PaanLuel Wël hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.