South Sudan parliament told to enact laws to regulate movement of cattle

JUBA – The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan, Louis Lobong has urged the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly to enact laws to regulate the movement of cattle in the state.

Governor Lobong made this call on Wednesday during his summon by the Council of States to explain insecurity related to herders in the region.

“In order to avoid clashes between cattle keepers and the predominantly farming communities as well as between different cattle keeping communities, there is a need to establish a legal framework to guide the movement of cattle in South Sudan,” Lobong said on Wednesday in Juba.

Lobong said the state government will strengthen law enforcement agencies to curtail the conflict between cattle herders and farmers in the states.

“I bring to you greetings from more than 1.6 million people of Eastern Equatoria State, who are tired of conflicts and violence and are praying for peace and prosperity in their State and our beloved nation South Sudan,” Lobong said.

He said citizens of his state are tired of being Refugees and are striving to be Self-reliant and live happily in their motherland.

He said proper sensitization of the citizens on the impact of conflict will be of great importance in preventing clashes between farmers and cattle herders in the state.

He appealed for the establishment of a Security Fund to equip the states and prepare the organized forces to urgently respond to security threats.

There has been a growing outcry from farmers in the Equatoria region that the cattle were destroying crops, the only source of livelihood for the farming community.

Conflict erupted in March after the herders from Jonglei State arrived in the country’s southeast to graze their cattle on lands used for farming.

In 2015, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir ordered the evacuation and return of cattle keepers roaming in Central and Western Equatoria, an order which has not yet been implemented.