Co-ordinated cattle raids kill at least 72 people in South Sudan

At least 72 people have been killed during cattle raids in South Sudan's northern Warrap state, according to the regional government. An unspecified number of cattle were taken and homes burnt during what was a "co-ordinated attack" on Monday involving two communities in Tonj North county, the state authorities said. Such deadly violence is often part of a cycle of revenge attacks as cattle are a main source of wealth and pride for many communities and are also important as young men need them as dowries to get married. Clashes over territory are also common across the country as it prepares to hold its first election since its independence in 2011 - delayed because of a brutal civil war.