Governor Futuyo issues 7-day ultimatum for cattle herders to leave Western Equatoria

MUNDRI, JUNE 9, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State General Alfred Futuyo has issued a seven-day ultimatum to cattle herders from Jonglei State to leave in an attempt to prevent violence against local farmers.

Speaking during a meeting between herders and farmers at Kotobi Payam of Mundri West in Western Equatoria State on Thursday, General Futuyo said cattle herders should leave the state within seven or else he will use force to evict them.

“Cattle keepers must leave, and this should happen within 7 days, and I am going to stay here till all of you cattle keepers are gone, if you don’t want, I will use force, we don’t reject your presence,  but cattle are our problem,” he said.

“For you the communities, do not take law into your hands, if there is any misunderstanding, government will handle this is to you both Cattle keepers and farmers,” the controversial opposition-nominated governor further said.

For his part, cattle herders chief Deng Mawut welcomed the decision of the governor and said, “we will leave to our village within the time that has been given by his excellency the governor and we don’t want to be the reason for any problem in your state.”

“Even as I speak to you, some of our children have already left Mundri with their cattle heading back to where they came from. The rest will follow, and we hope that this is going to take place in the time frame given by the governor,” he added.

Insecurity in the Greater Equatoria region is mostly attributed to violent cattle herders who have been attacking local farmers in most areas of the three states of the region.

In February this year, just a day ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to South Sudan, cattle herders attacked villagers in Kajo-keji County of Central Equatoria State killing at least 21 people. Despite calls for justice, no one has been held accountable for the killing.