Governor Futuyo orders cattle herders out of Western Equatoria

YAMBIO – The Governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, has issued a gubernatorial order directing cattle herders in Mundri East County to leave the state within a seven-day ultimatum.

Futuyo announced in a statement following a cabinet meeting in the state capital, Yambio, that cattle keepers have been given seven days to comply.

After this period, security forces will be directed to remove the cattle from the state.

“Bor Cattle must return to the place of their origin in Jonglei state [or] mobile forces will be deployed to relocate the cattle out of Greater Mundri,” the order, seen by Sudan Post, reads in part.

According to the order, “the Commissioners of Mundri East, Mundri West, and Mvolo counties, along with the state authority, will mobilize resources to facilitate the mission.”

The order stipulates that the two-week ultimatum starts immediately.

Disputes between cattle keepers and local farmers have been a significant cause of conflict in Greater Equatoria State in recent years.

Last year, an attack on local farmers in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, including women.

However, no one has been brought to justice over the killings, which involved cattle herders from neighboring Jonglei State.