Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The government of Eastern Equatoria State and members of the Bor community are trading accusations over the brewing conflict pitting cattle keepers against the host community in parts of Magwi and Nimule counties.
Barely days after an ugly clash that led to the displacement of residents in Mugali Payam, Magwi County, and the subsequent killing of two patrol policemen, area governor Louis Lobong penned a statement condemning the act but also blaming the Bor cattle keepers for ‘exporting violence to the area.’
”The people of Eastern Equatoria are suffering from a conflict transferred from the Greater Jonglei region,’’ Lobong said in a statement sent to newsrooms on Saturday.
He called on the leaders of Jonglei and Pibor Administrative Area to actively move the cattle herders back to their homes.
“I strongly reiterate my appeal to the people of Greater Jonglei to go back to their areas and try to find ways of addressing their issues among themselves,” he said.
“I call upon the leadership of both Jonglei State and GPPA to immediately take all necessary measures to withdraw their people from EES,” Lobong said.
Not us
But in a quick rejoinder, the Bor Community denied the claims that their cattle keepers were still causing havoc in parts of Eastern Equatoria State. Through its chairman, Dr Angok Kuol, the community alleged that the Lobong-led government was even active in organising attacks against herders.
‘‘We would like to make it clear that our people started moving towards Juba when they were attacked by youth who were organised and facilitated by the government of Eastern Equatoria State,’’ the statement read in part. Kuol added that the herders were in the northern parts of Juba heading home and that they were not responsible for the recent attacks that left tens of people dead, among them two police officers.
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
