South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai has condemned the attacks on villages in Jonglei State in which 14 people were killed and several others wounded. He also offers condolences to the families of the victims.

Last week, an armed group of cattle raiders launched two separates attacks in Duk Payuel and Jalle areas in Jonglei State.

“It is with deep dismay and profound disappointment that I learnt of the attacks on the civilians of Dukpayuel and Jalle in Jonglei state by cattle raiders,” partly reads the statement issued by Taban Deng on Friday.

The top government official condemned in the strongest terms the two separate attacks which occurred on 30 October while South Sudanese were preparing to celebrate the signing of the revitalized agreement.

“I console with the families of the victims and wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, and wish those in hospital a speedy recovery,” adds the statement.

Gai said the unity government would investigate the cause of the incident, urging state governors to restore peace by ensuring that no retaliatory attacks in greater Jonglei.

Local authorities in Duk and Bor North counties accused armed groups from Boma state of launching the two attacks, an accusation denied by government officials in Boma state.

The people of Jonglei and their neighbours in Boma state have for long been wrangling leading to cattle raids and child abductions. The two sides signed a peace agreement last year but the deal could not hold.