Governor Lobong says ‘most’ cattle herders have left Eastern Equatoria normalizing security situation

JUBA – The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State Louis Lobong Lojore has said that most cattle herders have left the state which has witnessed insecurity until more recently saying the decision by cattle keepers to return to Jonglei State has normalized the security situation.

Governor Lobong made the remarks following a meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the state-house J1 on Wednesday in which he told the president that complicated security incidents have decreased since the cattle herders left.

In a statement, the presidency said the president was briefed by Lobong along with the chairperson of the state parliamentary committee on borders and that the governor briefed the president about the security situation along the border between Kenya and the country.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday met with the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore who briefed the President on the general security situation along the Eastern Equatoria State and bordering Turkana County of Kenya,” the presidency said.

“The Governor who was accompanied by Hon. George Echom Ekeno, the Chairperson of the State parliamentary specialized Committee on Borders, further reassured the President that the general security situation in the State is calm with exception of few criminal incidents which are being handled by security forces,” the statement said.

The statement released following the meeting which was attended by the executive director in the office of the president further added that Lobong “also revealed that most of the cattle have left Eastern Equatoria State for Jonglei State following successful peace dialogue between cattle herders and communities of Magwi County.”