Map of Central Equatoria State. (Courtesy).

At least five civilians have been shot dead by suspected armed herders in Lokiliri Payam of Juba County on Friday, an activist has said.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization said the incident occurred in Nyerjebe Village, in the western part of the capital Juba.

CEPO leader Edmund Yakani termed the incident, which he alleges to have been perpetrated by armed herders from the neighboring Jonglei State – as inhumane and unacceptable.

In a press statement seen by Eye Radio, the activist called for accountability against the perpetrators, saying the acts of armed individuals or groups undermine peace and security in the country.

“The country is losing lives of innocent civilians to unlawful act on weekly basis,” Yakani said.

“This act is unacceptable and it triggers inter-communal violence that will lead to commitment of crime against humanity.”

He appealed to the leadership of the council of states to continue to respond to state-level deadly violence.

Yakani further said it is important that government institutions take a proactive role in the prevention of deadly inter-communal violence across the country.

“CEPO strongly called the political leadership of Central Equatoria and Jongeli States to immediately form a joint action for mitigating this negative development,” he said.

The incident involving herders is not the first of its kind in the area.

In June 2022, a similar incident occurred in which nine people were killed by suspected herders in Lokiliri Payam of Juba County.

Armed cattle keepers stationed at Mogiri – allegedly moved out of their camps and attacked villagers. The government responded by deploying security forces to calm the situation.