Two killed, three injured in Wau county cattle-related attack; dozens displaced

2026-03-29 - 19:44

At least two people have been killed and three others injured following an attack by armed cattle herders in Brinji area of Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal, authorities said. Wau County Commissioner Michael Gebatin Ukello reported that the violence occurred over the weekend after herders claimed cattle had been stolen. The armed group reportedly attacked villages in Brinji, Natabu, and Ngolinmbo while searching for the missing livestock. Ukello said the sound of gunfire forced civilians to flee their homes.“The incident took place around Brinji and of course, with the shooting, sound of guns and the information that some people were killed or wounded, forced normal citizens to run away from the area,” he said. Two people were confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Wau Teaching Hospital. The commissioner added that the violence displaced dozens of families, with nearly 100 people—mostly women and children—arriving in Wau. Some are now sheltering at Wau South Payam headquarters. “Last night, about less than hundred arrived in Wau South Payam. This morning I visited them and talked to them that at the moment there is no question of again people going to the camp,” Ukello said. “The government is moving hard to let the cattle keepers move away from their area so that they can go to prepare for the rainy season.” Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Emilio Ulao Baggari called for urgent humanitarian assistance for those displaced and reiterated that Wau County is not part of the Marial Bai cattle migration agreement. “We in Wau County are not part of the Marial Bai Cattle Migration Agreement and we as farmers, we don’t want cattle to come to our area,” Baggari said. “Let them go somewhere else. That is our position and it remains clear.” He added that local communities had previously received assurances that their position would be respected. “We got assurance from cattle communities that our opinion should be respected. I think they better adhere to this to avoid unnecessary argument,” he said. The 2019 Marial Bai Agreement was designed to regulate seasonal cattle migration, mainly involving herders from Tonj and Gogrial areas of neighboring Warrap State into parts of Western Bahr el Ghazal. However, Wau County declined to sign the agreement, citing concerns over some of its provisions.