South Sudan spy, army chiefs in Nimule to diffuse tensions

JUBA – The Governor of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State Louis Lobong Lojore and top Security Chiefs from Juba are in the border town of Nimule to diffuse tension in the area.

The High-Level Security Team includes the Chief of Defense Force Gen. Santino Deng Wol, Inspector General of Police Gen. Majak Kech Malok, and Director General of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service Gen. Akol Koor Kur among other senior officers.

On 11th May, more than 23 people including women and children were killed, and a dozen others were wounded during an attack on a cattle camp in Mugali Payam of Magwi County by unidentified gunmen.

About 3,450 heads of cattle were looted and 52 others were killed during deadly attack which displaced hundreds of people in the area.

The representatives of both the cattle keepers and the host community presented their grievances to the High-level Security Committee.

Governor Lobong who chaired the security meeting in Nimule on Sunday called for concerted efforts to address the crisis brought about by cattle influx into the area.

“The cattle keepers should listen to the voice of their leaders and evacuate their animals back to Jonglei State to allow peace prevail in the region,” Lobong said was quoted by Governor’s Press Unit saying.

“I want leaderships of Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area to withdraw their people from Eastern Equatoria to avoid making the state, a war theatre.”

Inspector General of Police Gen. Majak Akech said security forces are ready to escort the pastoralists back to their areas of origin.

“Security Forces are ready to escort the pastoralists back to their areas of origin, and we need cooperation from all stakeholders to execute the return process of the livestock,”

The Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol urged political leaders to help settle disputes among communities

“We want politicians to refrain from sowing the seeds of discords among communities,” Deng said.