A self-perpetuating violent cycle of cattle raiding, territorial disputes and revenge attacks creates a crisis in the world’s newest country

Lilia Sebouai

Global Health Security Reporter

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Lilia Sebouai is a reporter for The Telegraph’s Global Health Security and Foreign desks. She covers topics including infectious disease, emerging threats, humanitarian crises and conflict.

Published 21 September 2026 4:25pm BST

Dr Mathiang Agany had no idea what was coming.

On a humid morning in April, scores of patients were rushed into his basic hospital in rural South Sudan after a shoot out between rival gangs.…