Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The authorities of Eastern Equatoria State have dismissed the notion of referring to cattle keepers in Magwi County as Internally Dispaced Persons (IDPs).
Otto David Remson, Commissioner of Magwi County said the people present in the area are cattle keepers mainly from Bor, Jonglei State. This comes after the attack on cattle herders who were referred to as IDPs by some activists. However, Otto condemned the attack on cattle keepers and described it as barbaric acts perpetrated by unidentified cattle raiders.
“Equally, we dispute the allegation that there are IDPs in Agoro, Chomboro and Omeo. On the same note, we condemn the barbaric act of the cattle herders displacing, harassing, burning houses, shooting at people, torturing the members of Magwi County, this is a violation of human rights,” Otto said.
He made the statement during a press conference in Torit yesterday. Commissioner Otto also dismissed allegations by the Bor Youth Association Chairman that there are NAS forces in Eastern Equatoria State, particularly Magwi County as false.
“We the citizens of Magwi County with profound sadness and pain condemn the invasion by cattle attack keepers and displacement of our communities. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the allegations made by the Chairman of Bor Youth Association that there is the presence of NAS rebels in Eastern Equatoria and particularly in Magwi County, that the NAS rebels are the ones fighting IDPs in Agoro, Nyolo and Ayii,” he said.
The Commissioner appealed to the humanitarian partners to rescue the suffering population displaced by the ongoing tensions in the area. “We call upon all humanitarian partners to urgently come to the aid of our displaced population in Magwi County by providing food and non-food items. We strongly demand the immediate removal of cattle and the so-called IDP from Nimule, Melichio in Magwi County to go back to their places of origin,” Otto added.
Meanwhile, Angela Achiro Onoro, a Member of Parliament representing Magwi County said there is a need to support the vulnerable affected displaced person.
“We are calling all the humanitarian workers to urgently assist the displaced population with shelters, rain is coming and these people are under the tree in the headquarters of Magwi County,” said Achiro.
Peter Otim Karlo, Member of Parliament representing Constituency Number 27 Magwi called on the President Salva Kiir to intervene in the driving away of the cattle to their original homes.
Otim said if no decision is taken on the Presidential Decree for the removal of cattle out of the Equatoria region, people will continue to suffer tensions.
“If there is no decision taken on the Presidential Decree, our people will continue to suffer and we don’t need our people to suffer because we need them away. This is the message which is very clear and loud because otherwise, our people will continue to suffer. These people need to be taken to their area of origin and the only person who can do this is the President,” said Otim.
On Monday, Eastern Equatoria State’s Governor Louis Lobong Lojore condemned the recent clashes between the cattle raiders and cattle keepers in Nyoli village of Magwi County. He warned of an escalation of conflict if the national Government does not intervene to stop the conflict.
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